Armenian Medical International Committee renews mission

by Judith Lee

Published: Friday June 01, 2012

The new president of Armenian Medical International Committee (AMIC), Jerry Manoukian, MD, (far left) is congratulated by outgoing president Avedis Bogosyan, MD (far right). At center are Vicken Sepilian, MD, president of AAMA, and Lawrence Najarian, MD, president of AAHPO.

AMIC member organizations in California share his enthusiasm for social media and new technology to create a "buzz" about the event.

"We have an active medical society (AAMS) with visionary leaders. They are already on YouTube. We will reach more people this way. We need to have a webcam at the Congress to broadcast to those who cannot attend. Today, this is the way to reach people and have impact," noted Ms. Der-Tavitian.

Dr. Najarian agreed wholeheartedly and mentioned that AAHPO (greater New York area) has its own YouTube channel and uses Twitter and Facebook regularly to connect with the Armenian community.

"AAHPO reaches out to meet members and other Armenians where they are actively communicating today. From email combined with social media, we've increased our membership and our member participation, as well as the community's interest in our health care events," Dr. Najarian said.

And there's more

Along with social media outreach, Dr. Manoukian pointed out other priorities: "AMIC has been an organization of organizations, and has not included individuals as dues-paying members. But we have individuals without formal organizations, whose participation is welcomed and prized. We will develop policy to formalize this type of participation."

That's music to the ears of Rafi Avitsian, MD who resides in Ohio.

"I have tried to establish an organization here without success. Yet I am committed to AMIC's purpose, and make every effort to attend the Congresses and lecture," he noted.

Dr. Avitsian noted that AMIC is needed more than ever because Armenia's health care needs have changed.

"What are the current health care needs, and what organizations can best meet them? Perhaps members from one organization can help with another organization's project. We need a good, ongoing update for all AMIC members," said Dr. Avitsian.

Dr. Manoukian promised to reach out globally to bring more organizations in, particularly from South America.

"Shall we make some attempt to incorporate Spanish or Portuguese into our communications leading up to and during the 2013 Congress? We need to make the Congress multi-lingual from the get-go," he asserted.

Dr. Manoukian's thoughts circled back to the need for AMIC to connect with the new generation of health care providers: "Let's cultivate and groom our medical and premedical students. They will use, benefit from and expand our use of social media. How do we sustain the interest of an Armenian student from Colorado attending medical school in Washington State? This is the future of AMIC and the Armenian community."