Winning the Battle Against Breast Cancer in Armenia

The following were compiled from the statistical reports of the Wellness Centers seven departments: 1) Breast Screening and Diagnosis - including Osteoporosis Screening; 2) Basic Gynecology; 3) Pathology Lab Histology and Cytopathology; 4) Family Medicine; 5) Urology, Mens Health and Prostate Cancer Screening; 6) Hematology and Immunology Lab; and 7) Pharmacy.

ARMENIAN AMERICAN CULTURAL ASSOCIATION, INC. (AACA)

1300 Crystal Drive, Suite 1504 Arlington, VA 22202 www.HealthierNation.org

Non-Profit U.S. Postage PAID Permit # 2782 Merrifield, VA

Healthier Nation CENTER (AAWC) ARMENIAN AMERICAN WELLNESS

ARMENIAN AMERICAN CULTURAL ASSOCIATION, INC. (AACA)
Dear Friends, It has been another exciting year for the Wellness Center with many important accomplishments that you helped make possible. By continuing the focus on saving, prolonging, and improving the lives of women in Armenia, we have transformed the way Armenian women approach their health. As a result of our sustained efforts, the Center received the first Public Confidence Award for Excellence in Womens Health. I am extremely proud of our Executive Director, our medical professionals, and all of our staff for receiving this great honor. Another exciting accomplishment that you helped us achieve this year was the acquisition and installation of two 3D digital mammography machines. These systems increase the accuracy of the scans while decreasing the discomfort associated with them. Since many health insurance companies in the United States do not cover the cost of a scan on the newer machines, many hospitals and clinics here do not yet have these advanced systems. Through the support and assistance of our U.S. Medical Advisory Board members, we opened a Dental Health Clinic at the Center because recent studies suggest a strong correlation between dental health and heart, breast and arthritic diseases. Finally, we celebrated the birth of our 100th Miracle Baby. We could not have achieved this transformative change without your generosity, the support of the U.S. and Armenian governments, the dynamic leadership of our U.S. Medical Advisory Board, and the tireless efforts of our staff and volunteers. As we celebrate the Breast Cancer Awareness Month this October, I ask you to join our efforts once again with your generous donation to help create a Healthier Nation in Armenia. With my best wishes,
Sponsored by the

Fall 2012

See how we have grown...

AAWC has served over 200,000 Patients April 28, 1997 December 31, 2011

25% of our patients receive good news

AAWC Breast Screening Diagnoses Among FEMALE Patients based on 130,673 diagnoses. April 1997 June 2012

Three Dimensional Digital Mammography Introduced in Armenia

Armenian women need the Wellness Center and the Wellness Center needs YOU! This October, as we celebrate Breast Cancer Awareness Month, join our effort in creating a Healthier Nation!
AACA is a 501 (c) (3) registered tax-exempt organization, with Federal ID# 54-1747032

Two Selenia Dimensions 3D Tomosynthesis Systems (3 Dimensional Digital Mammography) were installed at the Wellness Center in March 2012

Cancer mortality can be reduced if cases are detected and treated early. More and more women (age 40 and over) are now coming to the Wellness Center for their ANNUAL Mammograms. Thus, Breast Cancer is diagnosed at earlier stages with more possibilities for treatment and better chances of cure.

I was so grateful that AACA organized my fourth visit to the Wellness Center last December. I was there to train the Center's Radiologists on the methodology of digital mammography, before the new systems were installed," said Dr. Ann Archer, member of the U.S. Medical Advisory Board. "The Center is beautiful and bustling and would make any clinic in the world take note. The doctors and technicians were very excited about the installation of tomosynthesis, as well they should be! In March 2012, less than a year after the innovative 3D Digital Mammography technology received FDA approval in the U.S., the Wellness Center acquired two Hologic Selenia Dimensions 3D Tomosynthesis systems (3 Dimensional Digital Mammography). The benefits of such groundbreaking technology are manifold: 1. Enhanced accuracy of detection of breast cancer, which significantly improves the early diagnosis of the disease. 2. Fewer callbacks for additional screening and needle biopsies. 3. Improved imaging for large dense breast tissue, without the traditional distortion and tissue shadowing. It took AACA over two years of research, fundraising and preparation, with contributions from Hologic Corporation and USAID, to acquire and install these two systems at the Wellness Center. It is like no other breast imaging platform on the market, and Armenia is once again at the forefront of the fight against breast cancer.

Our Goal is to Diagnose Cancer at Earlier Stages to Save Lives

AAWC Breast Cancer Incidence by Stage based on 5,396 patients diagnosed with cancer April 1997 June 2012 AAWC Breast Cancer Incidence by Age Groups based on 5,396 patients diagnosed with cancer April 1997 June 2012

Rita Balian President & CEO, AACA, Inc. Founder & Co-President, AAWC

Photo credit: Lawrence Mowat

The Public Confidence Award for Excellence in Womens Health Goes to

On June 24, 2012, the Armenian American Wellness Center received the prestigious Public Condence Award for Excellence in Womens Health, presented by the National Council of Public Condence in Medical Services. The event took place at the Aram Khachatouryan Symphony Hall in Yerevan, Armenia. Mrs. Khachanush Hakobyan, the Executive Director, accepted the award on behalf of the Wellness Center in front of a packed hall of 2,000 spectators and TV cameras, broadcasting nationwide. The Wellness Center was recognized for its high standards of quality care and innovative approaches using latest Western technology and expertise in delivering women's health services. The award, established two years ago by the National Council of Public condence, presents publics choice for excellence in medicine, ophthalmology, dentistry, and public health. This is the rst year that womens health was also considered and the award went to the Wellness Center. The recipients of the awards are chosen based on interviews and surveys conducted by the Council among the public and through questionnaires distributed at work places, public libraries, community centers, and schools. The women of Armenia have been putting their trust in us every single day for the past 15 years, said Mrs. Hakobyan during her award acceptance speech. Daily, 100-125 patients receive services from one or more of the Wellness Center's eight departments. Receiving the Public Condence Award crystallizes the role of the Wellness Center in revolutionizing the health care system in Armenia. "There is no better recognition than the one coming from those who are being served," said Ms. Hranush Hakobyan, co-Founder of the Wellness Center, now also the Minister of Diaspora in Armenia.
The Public Confidence Award presented to the Wellness Center for Excellence in Womens Health

Our Success Stories Continue: 100th Miracle Baby is Born

Two years might not seem a long time but to Araqsya felt like a life time. She and her husband desperately wanted to start a family. "I went to see Dr. Marine Voskanyan. I was very impressed with her medical expertise and kind personality. After ten months of treatment, Dr. Voskanyan conrmed my pregnancy. Araqsya gave birth to a baby boy, Artak, on May 3, 2012. "His birth has brought so much joy to our family and a new meaning to my life," she said. Dr. Marine Voskanyan, head of the Gynecology Department, has been treating women for various gynecological and infertility problems for the past seven years. "Since Artaks birth, we have conrmed ve more pregnancies, said Dr. Voskanyan. I feel very lucky to have the perfect work environment at the Center, where with the benet of having the latest Western technology, I am able to help Armenian women realize their dream of having babies."

Meet the Medical Advisory Board

AACA and the Wellness Center draw upon the expertise of 14 volunteer health care professionals and leading consultants, working at the most prestigious medical institutions and companies in the U.S. and around the world. From training our staff to advising on the acquisition of new medical equipment, AACA, for 15 years, has relied on their meticulously-researched and well-thought-out guidance and insights. The continued commitment of our U.S. Advisory Board members is the foundation that guarantees the highest quality of care for our patients, the most advanced cuttingedge medical equipment for our staff, and a cadre of well-trained practitioners and health system managers for Armenia.
Medical Doctors: Prof. Julia Albright, M.D., Immunology Emeritus Prof., Microbiology, Immunology & Tropical Medicine George Washington University School of Medicine Washington, DC, USA Senior Health Advisor, International Relief & Development, Inc. Arlington, VA, USA

We Welcome Three New Advisory Board Members!

Prof. Christof R. Sohn, M.D. is the Managing Medical Director of the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology at the University of Heidelberg Womens Hospital in Germany. He specializes in gynecological oncology, plastic and restorative surgery of the breast, senological diagnostics, and urogynecology. Dr. Sohn oversees the Hospital's Breast Health Center, providing diagnosis and treatment to more than 600 women with breast cancer. Dr. Sohn will provide invaluable guidance in Prof. Christof Sohn, M.D. the establishment of the Wellness Center's Outpatient Surgery Department. Once established, same-day general surgeries will be available to the Wellness Center's patients. Mr. Keith E. Simmons served at USAID for 16 years, and retired as Minister-Counselor in the Senior Foreign Service. His overseas assignments included Armenia, Angola, Gambia, Niger, and Serbia and Montenegro. In Armenia and Serbia he served as Acting Deputy Chief of Mission and Charge dAffaires. Since leaving USAID in 2007, Mr. Simmons has been contracted as Acting Mission Director in Albania, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Bosnia, Cyprus, Russia, and Ukraine. In the private sector he was an Executive Vice-President of a Mr. Keith E. Simmons consulting rm working abroad on contracts for USAID, the World Bank and the Asian Development Bank. Mr. Simmons continues to be involved with the Armenian-American Diaspora and has made numerous presentations related to international development at universities and colleges. Mr. Frank Heinz is the President & Chief Executive Ofcer of H&H Design-Build. H&H Design-Build is a nationally recognized leader in healthcare design and construction. It provides design, construction and consulting services to facilities specializing in diagnostic imaging, molecular imaging and cancer treatment. Some of its clients include Cleveland Clinic, Johns Hopkins Hospital and National Institutes of Health. As the Wellness Center nalizes the establishment of its Diagnostic Radiology Mr. Frank Heinz Department, H&H Design-Build is providing and supervising the architectural, electrical, mechanical, magnetic shielding drawings and specications, to ensure all U.S. standards are met.

Araqsya with her newly born baby, Artak

Ann Archer, M.D., Radiology Consultant Breast Radiologist, St. Marks Womens Health Auckland, New Zealand Prof. John P. Bilezikian, M.D., Endocrinology Professor of Medicine and Pharmacology, Columbia University New York, NY, USA Camilla J. Cobb, M.D., Cytopathology Loma Linda University Medical Center Loma Linda, CA USA Allen Nalbandian, M.D., Radiology President, Valley Radiology Consultants CEO & Founder, Womens Imaging Specialists of America (WIS) Escondido, CA USA John Poochigian, M.D., Internal Medicine Permanente Medical Group Mountain View, CA, USA Vicken Poochikian, M.D., Internal Medicine Primary Health Care & Family Medicine, Private practice Bladensburg, MD, USA Prof. Christof R. Sohn, M.D., Gynecological Oncology Managing Medical Director, Department of OBGYN University of Heidelberg Womens Hospital Heidelberg, Germany Garo M. Tertzakian, M.D., Urology Clinical Advisor & Managing Partner, Associated Urologists of Orange County Santa Ana, CA, USA Emma Zargarian, M.D., OB/GYN Greater Baltimore Medical Center Baltimore, MD, USA Other Medical Professionals & Consultants: Katherine Berberian, Cytology Los Angeles County/University of Southern California (USC) Los Angeles, CA, USA Frank Heinz President & CEO, H&H Design Build New Albany, IN, USA Michelle M. Parsons, R.N., R.T. (R) (M) Riverside Radiology & Interventional Associates, Inc. Columbus, OH, USA Keith E. Simmons Consultant, Senior Advisory Services Gold River, CA, USA

Dr. Marine Voskanyan with Araqsya and baby Artak

Dr. Emma Zargarian, OB/GYN, a member of our U.S. Medical Advisory Board, is largely to credit with the establishment of the Gynecology Program in 2001. "It is indeed a proud moment to celebrate the birth of the Wellness Center's 100th Miracle Baby," said Dr. Zargarian. "This highlights the trust Armenian women and families have in our strong commitment to the highest quality of care, delivered with integrity and honesty."

Spotlight on Dental Health: The Wellness Center Opens a Dental Health Clinic
Dr. Julia W. Albright, a member of our U.S. Medical Advisory Board, has conducted research that points to a correlation between dental hygiene and several inammatory diseases. Among evidence is the connection between poor dental health and breast, cervical, and pancreatic cancers, heart health and arthritic disorders, said Dr. Albright. In light of this nding, Dr. Albright recommended that a dental health program at the Wellness Center would be a natural extension of life saving services that it already provides to women in Armenia.
Prof. Julia Albright, M.D. Emeritus Professor, George Washington University School of Medicine and Senior Health Advisor, International Relief & Development

After two years of research and fundraising, the Wellness Center's Dental Health Program will be launched this November. Dr. Nvard Vanyan, with many years of dentistry experience, will head this department, which has two fully-equipped dental rooms, a dental lab, and a reception area. She is a professor at the Department of Dentistry of the Yerevan State Medical University.

Dr. Nvard Vanyan Dentist at the Wellness Center

In addition to seeing patients, the dental program will also aggressively pursue public education on dental hygiene. Based on the recommendations of U.S. dentists and U.S. dental equipment suppliers, we purchased the latest ergonomically european designed chairs, equipment and instruments for the best care and comfort of the dentist and patients alike," said Rita Balian.
The Executive Director, Mrs. Khachanush Hakobyan (in the center), along with some of the medical staff, accept the Public Confidence Award on behalf of the Wellness Center.