Saro Khemichyan is an Associate Professor of Clinical Medicine at the University of Southern California, Deputy Director of Liver Transplantation, Head of the Hepatitis Treatment Center at Keck Hospital.
Within the framework of the “Fulbright” scholarship program, the 47-year-old physician and scientist has been lecturing and conducting research for two months at the Department of Internal Diseases (Gastroenterology and Hepatology) of YSMU, at the invitation of Gagik Hakobyan, the Head of the Department.
“The program is the largest American educational exchange program enabling researchers and young professionals to obtain an international master’s degree in various fields, to carry out in-depth research and to teach in universities and educational institutions”, the visiting professor of the Department of Internal Diseases (Gastroenterology and Hepatology) explains. His visit to Armenia will be three-component.
The duration of the scholarship is six months, which he will complete in two-month phases until the end of 2024. In two months, the scholarship recipient got to know the working style of Armenian colleagues, students’ knowledge and professional abilities.
“During this time, I have noticed how high the knowledge and awareness of world medicine news and research is, both of doctors and students,” the invited specialist says, adding that he is happy for the opportunity to present his experience to and interact with the university team.
As a research part of the visit, Saro Khemichyan is going to conduct a survey among medical patients, particularly regarding liver diseases, studying the level of awareness of medical patients.
It is not the first time that Dr. Khemichyan is in his homeland. Born in Germany, then educated in Iran, and then moved to the US at the age of 15. Living on the other side of the ocean, he has always emphasized the knowledge of Armenian and the protection of Armenians. Our compatriot with more than a dozen years of professional experience is fluent in his native language.
While he is in Armenia, he will be replaced by local colleagues in the USA. Returning to his place of residence, he will be burdened with work and duties, but he will return to Yerevan, “Mikayelyan” University Hospital, next spring with great willingness.
According to the senior lecturer Manik Gemilyan, the Department of Internal Diseases (Gastroenterology and Hepatology) welcomed the Armenian-American doctor with great enthusiasm, because every such cooperation creates an opportunity for further cooperation and strengthening of ties.
On November 4, Saro Khemichyan participated with the Chairs of the Armenian Association of Gastroenterologists, the European Helicobacter and Microbiota Study Group (EHMSG) and the European Association of Gastroenterology, Endoscopy and Nutrition (EAGEN) in the international hybrid two-day conference organized under the auspices of the European Union of Gastroenterology (UEG): “Ten years with the European Society of Gastroenterology (UEG): Armenia’s road map to European gastroenterology”.
