History
Department of Internal Diseases (Rheumatology) was founded in 2018. It was formed
after the reorganization of the departments of Internal Diseases. Before that the subject of
Rheumatology has been taught as a part of Internal Medicine. The department has been
organized based on the features of diagnosis, treatment of rheumatologic patients, a
significant increase in incidence of rheumatic diseases, the need for qualified medical
care and the need for staff training for current scientific issues.
Education and training
The thematic program materials are provided to students in the form of cyclic lessons,
which include lectures and practical classes. The subject is multicomponent, as at the end of the cycle, in addition to the test exam, students undergo a mini clinical examination, which checks their practical skills acquired during the cycle. The department has employed the “Doctor-Lex” mobile application, where clinical cases are discussed. It helps the students to gain clinical thinking. The first text-book on Rheumatology in Armenian was published by the Head of the Department Knarik V. Ginosyan, MD, PhD in 2020. The department is currently participating in OSCE (Objective Structured Clinical Examination). The subject is taught during the 4th year of study at the General Medicine and Military-Medical faculties. The training is conducted in Armenian, Russian and English languages.
The department also has postgraduate programs: a 2 year long clinical residency, as well
as a postdoctoral rheumatology training for rheumatologists, family doctors and general practitioners.
Scientific Publications
Since the foundation of the department the employees have published a number of articles, abstracts and case reports in various scientific journals with a high impact factor and Pubmed library. The papers were published both in Armenian and international authoritative scientific journals, such as “Annals of the Rheumatic Diseases”, “BMJ Case Reports”, “Lupus Science and Medicine”, “International Journal of Clinical Rheumatology” and others. Each year staff members of the department participate and present their scientific works in the framework of international rheumatological congresses, both European and American.
Collaboration
The department staff members are the members of the European Rheumatology
Association (EULAR). “Heratsi” and “Mikaelyan” University clinical hospitals are
included in the recruitment of the patients with systemic sclerosis in the EUSTAR
international register and panarmenian NAREG register. The department cooperates with the Research Institute of Rheumatology named after V. Nasonova and “Santé Arménie” French-Armenian Research Center.
Clinical Activity of the Department
The clinical bases of the department are “Heratsi” and “Mikaelyan” University clinical hospitals.
Staff members
| Name, Surname | Position held | Academic title | Academic Degree |
| Knarik V. Ginosyan | Head of department | MD, PhD | Associate Professor |
| Valentina V.Vardanyan | Associate Professor, head of education part | MD, PhD | |
| Tamara L.Bayramyan | Associate Professor | MD, PhD | Associate Professor |
| Lusntag S.Hovhannisyan | Associate Professor | MD, PhD | Associate Professor |
| Nikolay G.Eghiazaryan | Assistant Professor | MD | |
| Shushanna H.Aristakesyan | Assistant Professor | MD | |
| Lilit G.Sevoyan | Assistant Professor | MD | |
| Syuzanna A.Bazeyan | Assistant | MD | |
| Maritsa L. Efremidu | Assistant | MD | |
| Magda A. Osipyan | Assistant | MD |