With more than 45 volunteer medical professionals, Armenia Fund and Adventist Health Glendale are gearing up for their third medical mission to the Noyemberyan Hospital, located in Armenia’s northeastern Tavush region, near the border with Georgia and Azerbaijan.
The annual medical mission has been carried out since 2015, with the aim of helping upgrade Armenia’s rural medical infrastructure and providing much-needed medical care to residents across Tavush.
This year’s medical mission will take place between Sept. 17 and 22, offering free medical services, including surgeries, to residents of Noyemberyan and the surrounding 30 villages. As in previous years, the mission will also provide the opportunity for physicians, surgeons, nurses and other medical professionals from Glendale to continue their strong partnership with Noyemberyan Hospital staff in working closely on this mission.
This year’s team from Adventist Health Glendale comprises 45 healthcare professionals from across the Adventist Health Southern California region. The team’s 14 physicians will perform a wide range of surgeries, including gallbladder, hernia and orthopedic procedures as well as removal of lumps, bumps and tumors.
“We are so excited to serve God’s children in Noyemberyan for the third year in a row,” said Kevin Roberts, president and CEO of Adventist Health Glendale. “Once again, we had more self-funded volunteers than we could accommodate. We look forward once again to the local Armenian diaspora supporting the hospital in funding the supplies and equipment that have already been sent and are awaiting our high-quality team in Armenia.”
Ever since the medical mission’s launch in 2015, thousands of patients in Tavush without access to advanced healthcare have received high-quality medical services. For instance, farmers and agricultural workers suffering from conditions such as hernia have been able to return to work, thanks to surgeries performed by AHGL surgeons.
In addition to the work of the surgical team, a team of primary-care and specialist physicians will examine, treat and provide free medications to thousands of patients. Particular emphasis will be placed on internal medicine, cardiology, pulmonary care, neurology, orthopedics and pediatrics.
Another noteworthy feature of the upcoming mission is that it will be joined by final-year surgery and anesthesiology residents from Yerevan State Medical University. These future medical professionals will be paired with surgeons and anesthesiologists from Adventist Health Glendale in order to observe, learn and participate during the week-long medical mission.
“Every year, Armenia Fund and Adventist Health Glendale join forces to bring hope and care to thousands of residents living in Tavush, one of Armenia’s far-flung border regions,” stated Maria Mehranian, president of Armenia Fund U.S. Western Region. “Our partnership allows us not only to provide free surgeries and clinical care, but also to meet the Noyemberyan Hospital’s long-term infrastructure and training needs — a strategically important area for Armenia’s development and civilian security. Armenia Fund strongly believes in capacity-building, and the results of this project clearly echo that vision. Medical missions in rural Armenia are no easy feat, but thanks to our partners in Glendale, every mission is a success beyond words.”
In the run-up to the forthcoming medical mission, Armenia Fund has shipped close to 4 tons of medical equipment, surgical supplies, high-quality pharmaceuticals, and other required medical/surgical items to Noyemberyan Hospital.
Adventist Health Doctors Head to Armenia on Medical Mission
