Lord Ara Darzi… Or Ara Vardges Terzyan… Born 7 May 1960 in Mosul, Iraq… An Armenian-British surgeon, former health minister of Great Britain, a member of the House of Lords. Ara Darzi is one of the world's leading surgeons and holds the Paul Hamlyn Chair of Surgery at Imperial College London, specialising in the field of minimally invasive and robot-assisted surgery, having pioneered many new techniques and technologies. He has become strongly identified with trying to change the National Health Service (NHS) in England and is recognised internationally as an advocate for applying innovative reforms to health systems globally. As a Privy Councillor, he is one of the Queen’s closest advisers. He was knighted by the Queen for services to medicine and surgery in 2002, when he was just 42. He is also a fellow of the Royal Society, the oldest and most prestigious scientific academy.
It was in Dublin that Ara Darzi picked up his nickname. “Ara is similar to the common Irish first name ‘Dara.’ Darzi is like the very common Irish surname ‘Darcy.’ So, people started calling me Dara Darcy,” he told once.
-Lord Darzi, you are both a doctor and a politician, you are one of the world’s leading surgeons, you are a leading voice in the field of global health policy and innovation. How do you manage to combine all this?
It is undoubtedly a bit of a balancing act. I manage my time very carefully and also have a skilled team around me, who help me to do this. Prioritizing tasks is incredibly important to ensuring that I get everything done efficiently and effectively. Ultimately though, my patients have to come first and this has reigned true throughout my career.
-In your interviews you always emphasize that change is important. You were the Healthcare Minister of the United Kingdom and made reforms in the National Healthcare System of the country. From your point of view, what are the main challenges of global healthcare system?
An aging, growing population is an ever-increasing challenge for the global healthcare system. The global population is currently growing at a rate of approximately 1% annually, putting a huge amount of strain on global resources, finances and technology. We are completely reliant upon our own ability to adapt and innovate, to support this increasing population.
–You saved the life to one of your colleagues right during the session of House of Lords. How did it happen? Are there any other similar cases?
I was indeed required to resuscitate a colleague who suffered a heart attack during a speech in the House of Lords, using a defibrillator and cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR). This was a unique situation, and thankfully is not something I’ve had to do again. I did, however, perform minor surgery on a former Prime Minister, an incident which had remained secret until his autobiography was published earlier this year.
-Professor, how did you choose the field of medicine and then policy?
I wanted to do something different to my parents, I was interested in both engineering and medicine and chose medicine. I knew it would be a challenge with a constantly changing horizon which excited me.
I hadn’t planned on becoming a politician it was a great surprise when I was asked to join the government as Under-Secretary-of-State for Health. I only agreed on the condition that I was allowed one day a week operating, that- I couldn’t give up.
-You were born in Mosul, Iraq. Your great-grandparents were displaced from Erzurum by the Armenian Genocide. Please, tell the story of your family’s survival. How did you get to London?
My family are originally from Erzurum, as you mention. My great-grandfather and four of his five children were executed during the Armenian Genocide in 1915, and my great-grandmother and grandmother were the only members of the family to survive. They walked barefoot to Mosul in Iraq, where my father was later born. I grew up in Baghdad, and my family moved to Ireland shortly before the Gulf War – I was 17. I did not move to London until after I had completed my medical studies at Trinity College, and travelled in order to further my surgical career in 1990.
-You often say: “Even though I had never been to Armenia, I grew up feeling Armenian”. Recently you visited Armenia. What were your impressions from the country? Did you feel like in Homeland?
I struggle to think of anywhere with more unspoilt natural beauty than Armenia. The landscapes are beautiful, and the churches and monasteries are architecturally amazing. However, the Armenian people are what make it such a special country: everybody is so positive, regardless of the sadness and difficulties the country has faced in its past.
-Professor, do you find time to relax? If yes, how do you prefer to have a rest?
Finding time to relax can prove difficult, but I do try to spend as much quality time as I can with my family.
-As the most prominent Armenian in Britain and one of the famous surgeons in the world, share, please, your advice and formula of success with future doctors.
There is no specific ‘one-size-fits-all’ formula to success, particularly in an ever-changing field such as medicine. My biggest pieces of advice would be: ask lots of questions, listen carefully to the people around you and do not be afraid to make mistakes, just make sure you learn from them!
-Does your Armenian origin play any role?
I am very proud of my Armenian heritage, and it has certainly had a part to play in influencing my life and world view. Despite not growing up in the country, I have always felt Armenian: I attended Armenian churches, and always celebrated my Armenian heritage with my parents. I have been back to Armenia to train new generations of doctors and brought Armenian doctors back to the UK, drawing these important elements of my life together.
–And, finally, do you plan to visit Armenia again?
Of course! I always enjoy visiting the country, and will continue to visit as frequently as I can.
Author: Tatevik Ghazaryan