The Department of Radiology

The Department of Radiology has been created in 1927 by Soviet and Armenian famous radiologist V.A Fanarjian (1898-1976). V.A Fanarjian was an academician of  ASSR Academy of Science, a distinguished figure of science,  a member of USSR Academy of Medical Science.  He opened the first X-ray department in Armenia in 1926 and in 1927 the radiology department of Yerevan State Medical Institute. He was the head of the Department for about 50 years. Professor V. Fanarjian also founded Radiology and Oncology Institute and became its director in 1946. After his death the institute had been renamed after him. Professor H.A. Danielyan was the head of the department from 1957 to 1994. The X-ray course and then Department was headed by professor A.M. Hambardzumyan until 2007. In  2010 the head of the Department was the associate professor G.A. Avetisyan (PhD in Medical Science). He was still the head of the Department after it had been merged with the department of radiology and clinical diagnostics in 2019. University hospitals (Heratsi and Muratsan Hospital Complexes, Mikaelyan Institute of Surgery)  and other leading medical centers («Erebuni», «Astghik», «Nairi», «Izmirlian», «Armenia», «Surb Grigor Lusavorich», «Surb Astvatsamayr», «Shengavit», «Slavmed», «Normed», Medical Center after Vladimir Avagyan, National Center of Oncology after V.A. Fanarjian, National Center for Burns and Dermatology, Armenian-American Wellness Center, Scientific Center of Traumatology and Orthopedics and so on)  serve as clinical bases for the Department. The leading professionals of the field, who introduced diagnostic technologies to Armenia and now lead the above-mentioned medical centers are the professors of the Department.

The Department offers graduate and undergraduate degrees (“Radiology” subject has different syllabus in medical and dental faculties). This Radiology department is the only one in Armenia. There are about 160 residents in the Department getting 2-year specialization in radiology. It is worth to mention that during past years specialists from other fields as well have their radiology specializations as a second residency in the Department.

The main and the longest subject of 2-year radiology specialization is X-ray (11 months). The residents have an opportunity to learn X-ray course subtopics, like (oncology, traumatology and orthopedy, mammography, pediatrics) at different specialized medical centers with the best specialists of the country. The course of the second year includes ultrasound diagnostics, computer and magnetic resonance tomography, also the basics of radioisotope diagnostics.

The post graduate education at the Department covers almost all topics of radiology. The method of teaching includes presentations as the radiology subject is all about images.

Doctors from different fields get their narrow specializations, like “Ultrasound diagnostics” and so on, in the Department. Professional development courses for radiologists include topics like computer and magnetic resonance tomography layering, X-ray, ultrasound (including ultrasound in gynecology, pediatric and duplex). It is important to mention, that there is an opportunity to learn radiology algorithms’ application in various clinical filds as well.

The Department has long-term (specialization) and short-term (development courses) courses for mid level medical personnel of radiology departments. The Department provides the most up to date knowledge, as diagnostic centers of the country need prepared and well-educated personnel to introduce new technologies (CT scan, MRI, mammography and so on). To make the education even more accessible for mid level medical personnel of radiology departments, the Department published new guidebook “The Basics of Radiology” in Armenian in 2023.

Different topics of Radiology are covered by scientific work perfomed by the Department, like research of new methods for the diagnostics of thyroid gland diseases.

Two PhD works have been presented and approved under that topic: “The Role of Ultrasound in Diagnosing Combined Deseases of Thyroid Gland and Liver” and “The Role of Elastography in Complex Ultrasound Diagnosing of Thyroid Gland Nodes and  Their Imaging Spesifications in Case of Diffuse Lesion of the Organ”.

The Department has a new scientific direction, which is the research of reasons of medical and particularly diagnosing errors is Armenia. The reason why this topic is in the research spotlight is because beside the benefits of new era diagnosing methods, they also have downsides, which sometimes lead to paradox. This topic has to be researched thoroughly, because we have constantly changing environment, different clinical and morphology picture of disease because of the prolonged life of the population and new therapeutic methods.

The Department staff always participate in scientific events, conferences and symposiums  in Armenia and abroad and present their works. It is important to mention that residents of the Department participate in this kind of events as well.

The Radiology Department cooperates with Armenian Association of Radiologists and Armenian School of Radiology.

A big part of the staff is actively engaged in clinical practice. Many of the professors have principal roles in university clinics and leading medical centers.