Yerevan State Medical University named after Mkhitar Heratsi hosted the 4th International Medical Conference “In Pursuit of Excellence.”
Held on September 22–25, the event brought together physicians, scientists, lecturers, and healthcare professionals from Armenia and abroad with the aim of exchanging professional experience, contemporary approaches, and best international practices.
On behalf of the Rector of YSMU and the Medical University, Vice-Rector for Scientific Affairs Konstantin Yenkoyan welcomed the participants. According to him, this is already the fourth conference of this format, which testifies to the continuity of cooperation.
“Both at the Medical University and at various medical institutions with the support of the Medical University, clinical, scientific, and educational micro-conferences will be held. The focus is on pediatrics, translational medicine, the discovery of biomarkers, and nursing,” the Vice-Rector noted, adding that the cooperation is being implemented through the Armenian Diaspora, which strengthens Armenia–US relations.
Perch Abgaryan, Honorary Consul of the Republic of Armenia in Fresno and Honorary Professor of YSMU, noted that specialists had gathered together at the medical university, upholding the spirit of cooperation.
“I welcome all the physicians and scientists who have come to Armenia from the United States to make their positive contribution and participation, share new information, establish professional connections and friendly relations, and share their knowledge, so that we can shape a better generation of informed physicians in the Republic of Armenia,” Perch Abgaryan emphasized, proposing that the conference be dedicated to the 35th anniversary of Independence.
The professional component of the conference began with discussions of reports on education.
Among the topics addressed on the first day were “Technological Integration and Digital Tools,” “Virtual OSCE,” accreditation standards for medical institutions, “Molecular Biomarkers in the Diagnosis and Prognosis of Diseases,” “Translational Medicine,” “Autism Spectrum Disorder: Application of the Results of Animal Studies to Humans,” and “SARS-CoV-2 Infection and the Elderly Population.”
The second day of the conference, September 23, was held at Muratsan University Hospital.
Hripsime Apresyan, Head of the School of Pediatrics and Head of the Infectious Diseases Clinic, delivered a report entitled “Endemic Visceral Leishmaniasis: Pediatric Aspects and Regional Dynamics in Armenia.”
The meeting was attended mainly by clinical residents, who listened to interesting lectures on neonatal care, infectious diseases and vaccinations, cardiology, surgery, emergency medicine, and neurology.
The other two reports by Armenian specialists addressed the development of pediatric oncology and pediatric endoscopic surgery in Armenia. They were presented by university specialists.
As part of the extensive program, the American physicians also toured the hospital departments and discussed clinical cases with their Armenian colleagues.
The final two days of the conference, September 24–25, took place at Mikaelyan University Hospital.
Around 300 nurses from various medical institutions across the Republic participated in the event entitled “Nursing and Advanced Clinical Practice.”
During the conference, issues related to the development of modern nursing, continuing education and professional training of nurses, clinical skills and simulation-based education, as well as the application of digital technologies were discussed.
Separate reports addressed the assessment of nurses’ professional competencies, international standards and accreditation, professional development and leadership, palliative care, and the international mobility of nurses.
Reports were presented on the development of advanced clinical practice, access to healthcare, professional standards, and the assessment of competencies.
In her speech, Geghanush Stepanyan, President of the Association of Nurses of the Republic of Armenia and Chief Nurse of Mikaelyan Hospital, emphasized the importance of continuing education and professional training for nursing staff, addressing the programs implemented and planned for the development of the sector and the improvement of the work of nursing professionals.
