Yerevan State Medical University named after Mkhitar Heratsi , in collaboration with the Côte d’Azur University in Nice, France, hosted a large delegation of French colleagues on September 22, within the framework of an international cooperation agreement.
Thanks to this agreement, two university specialists — an urologist and a cardiologist — have already completed clinical training. In December 2025, a vascular surgeon’s training is planned, followed by the training of another radiologist and cardiologist in 2026.
During their official visit, the visiting foreign colleagues toured the “Soldier’s Home” in Armenia, where they were warmly welcomed by the Rector of YSMU, Armen Muradyan.
The delegation included Samson Ozarararat, President of the “Sos-Armenie Côte d’Azur” association; vice-presidents Kirkor Ajderhanyan in France and Sevak Avagyan in Armenia; the program coordinator and simultaneous head of the Coordination Council of Armenian associations in Côte d’Azur, Vahagn Movsesyan; as well as representatives of the mayor of Nice, Pierre Fiori, and the Nice University Hospital.
The Rector of the medical university, presenting the history of this important rehabilitation building, mentioned that the example was the “Invalides” Palace in Paris.
Armen Muradyan also discussed the founding principles of the first hospital and the significant, unique role that the center has played throughout the history of the Armenian people.
He expressed hope that cooperation with French colleagues will develop further in various directions.
During the tour, Haykuhi Minasyan, the director of the “Soldier’s Home,” presented the center’s rehabilitation activities, social and cultural programs, and the activities involving the young patients receiving treatment.
Parandzem Khachatryan, Head of the Pathology Department and Clinical Pathology Laboratory of YSMU, noted that the “Sos-Armenie Côte d’Azur” organization intentionally selects francophone doctors for its activities.
“This primarily concerns training doctors, exchanging experiences, and, if necessary, improving assistance to patients. The organization’s work is carried out by implementing various beneficial initiatives and cooperating with Armenian experts in Armenia,” Parandzem Khachatryan summarized. She also noted that the visit provided an opportunity to discuss the training of specialists and rehabilitation assistance.
“This time, our delegation also includes a pathology professor and a neurosurgeon professor, and we are committed to promoting international cooperation in this area as well,” added Vahagn Movsesyan, Program Coordinator of “Sos-Armenie Côte d’Azur,” noting that the organization was established immediately after the Spitak earthquake, alongside the Armenian community living in Nice.
“The association has implemented numerous projects in both Armenia and the Karabakh region. In addition to humanitarian aid,medical training has been carried out back in 90s. Around 35 doctors trained in Nice hospitals, many of whom are now well-known doctors in Armenia,” said Vahagn Movsesyan.
Yerevan and Nice, as sister cities, have had official visits for 18 years. Initially, these visits were purely official, but over recent years, cooperation has been confirmed through program development.
“For example, after meeting with university specialists, especially Parandzem Khachatryan and Anna Ghazaryan, Head of the International Cooperation Department of the University, contacts intensified in this area. I believe this will deepen further, allowing us to start new, broader cooperation with the medical university. Thus, the visit to the Soldier’s Home is very important because it will allow us to develop programs to provide assistance there as well,” expressed Vahagn Movsesyan. He reminded that cooperation with the medical university began in September 2023 when a comprehensive five-party agreement was signed, and he hopes that the program will expand with tangible results.
Fanny Burelle Vandenbos, professor, Vice-Rector for International Relations at the University Medical Faculty of Côte d’Azur, who was visiting Armenia for the second time, was very impressed by the visit to the Soldier’s Home.
“Everything is well organized for rehabilitation; the building is very beautiful, equipped with the latest devices. We can cooperate in pediatric and adult orthopedics and rehabilitation. Each visit brings new ideas, and I will discuss with my colleagues the development of cooperation in these areas,” she said.
Denis Fonten, professor and Head of the Neurosurgery Department at the University Hospital of Nice and Côte d’Azur Medical Faculty, who was visiting Armenia for the first time, also expressed his admiration for the center.
“It is always interesting to visit and learn about neurosurgical activities in other countries. I had the opportunity to present my area — functional neurosurgery, a branch dedicated to treating diseases such as Parkinson’s. I also specialize in chronic pain treatment, which is not very developed in Armenia. This can also become a field for cooperation,” noted the French specialist.
Following the visit to the Soldier’s Home, professors also gave lectures at the “Heratsi” University Hospital on topics such as “Brain Tumors in Neurosurgical Practice” and “Promotion of Spinal Cord Regeneration,” sharing their experiences and answering questions from Armenian specialists.
The lectures by French colleagues were primarily aimed at university students but are intended to become more accessible and expanded to a wider audience.
