For Immediate Release

GLENDALE ADVENTIST MEDICAL CENTER PROVIDES MEDICAL SERVICES TO SOME 900 PATIENTS IN NOYEMBERYAN

Yerevan, October 28, 2015 — Through the joint initiative of the Hayastan All-Armenian Fund’s US Western Region affiliate and Glendale Adventist Medical Center (GAMC), physicians from GAMC provided a wide range of medical services to patients from the city of Noyemberyan and 30 nearby communities. The services were rendered free of charge in the course of five days, from October 18 to 22, at Noyemberyan Hospital. Earlier this year, The Western Region affiliate entered into a special partnership with GAMC, with the aim of establishing a sister-hospital relationship between GAMC and Noyemberyan Hospital. The GAMC team’s mission in Noyemberyan this month was the first to be carried out within the framework of that partnership.

Led by GAMC president and CEO Kevin Roberts, the 35 specialists from GAMC performed approximately 40 surgeries, including maxillofacial, varicose-vein, gallbladder-removal, and hernia procedures. The doctors have also examined and provided free medications to twice as many patients as had been planned, bringing the total of the mission’s beneficiaries, children and adults alike, to close to 900. In addition, GAMC has donated to Noyemberyan Hospital two ambulances furnished with first-aid equipment, as well as state-of-the-art medical equipment — including two anesthesia machines and surgical instruments — and a large quantity of medications.

“I’m happy that there are many Armenians among our professionals. I’m afraid I can’t mention all of them, but what they did during this five-day mission is a real wonder,” said Kevin Roberts, who has helped save many lives in Armenia in the immediate aftermath of the 1988 earthquake.

During the mission to Noyemberyan Hospital, cardiologists Dr. Arby Nahapetian and Dr. Harout Mesrobian as well as pulmonologist Dr. Arin Aboulian have saved the lives of two patients, 63-year-old Seda and 80-year-old Zenichka. Another Armenian-American physician, oral and maxillofacial surgeon Dr. Armond Kotikian, has performed two complex oral surgeries, successfully separating five-year-old Narek’s tongue from his palate, thus treating the child’s congenital condition; and restoring the normal function of 35-year-old Lilit’s jaw, which had remained locked as a result of an acute illness.

Sarkis Kotanjian, the executive director of Hayastan Fund US Western Region affiliate, emphasized the critical importance of such medical missions in Armenia’s border regions. “Our compatriots who live in areas near the border must always be reassured by the support of the worldwide Armenian community,” Kotanjian said. “As for our international partnership with Glendale Adventist Medical Center, my hope is that it will serve as a wonderful example to other organizations interested in providing assistance to Armenia.” Kotanjian added that the partnership between GAMC and Noyemberyan Hospital will be ongoing.

The GAMC medical mission has also received high praise from President Serzh Sargsyan, who has met with Kevin Roberts and his team of specialists at the presidential palace and thanked them for their invaluable support.

Noyemberyan Hospital was rebuilt, refurnished, and equipped with medical equipment in 2010, through the joint efforts of Armenia Fund’s German, Swiss, Australian, and Lebanese affiliates.

ARMENIA FUND USA — founded in 1992 — was one of the first of Armenia Fund’s 16 international affiliates and and serves constituents in all states east of the Mississippi. As a non-profit, non-governmental, nonsectarian organization, the Fund represents all Armenian constituents. Armenia Fund USA is the largest contributor among the 16 international affiliates – supporting strategic infrastructure projects in Armenia and Karabakh. The Fund has adopted a policy to go “Beyond Bricks and Mortar” to provide sustainability for projects it sponsors.

To learn more about Armenia Fund USA, please visit our website at
www.ArmeniaFundUSA.org or call us at 212-689-5307.