Varduhi Petrosyan PhD, Associate Professor and Associate Dean of the College of Health Sciences participated as an invited speaker at the 15th European Health Forum – Gastein: October 3-6, 2012 in Austria. The European Observatory asked Dr. Petrosyan to speak as an international expert in health systems research in the workshop “The Effects of the Financial Crisis on Health Systems in Russia and Other CIS Countries” co-sponsored by the European Observatory on Health Systems and Policies and the Russian Academy of Medical Sciences. Dr. Petrosyan presented the overview of the Armenian health care system, recent developments, contemporary successes, and current challenges. Colleagues from World Health Organization (WHO) Headquarters, WHO Regional Office in Europe and the European Observatory valued the opportunity to learn from the experience of Armenia and other CIS countries.
The WHO Regional Office in Europe asked for Dr. Petrosyan’s participation in the working meeting “Strengthening the Response to Non Communicable Diseases (NCDs) in Eastern Europe” following the European Health Forum. This meeting reviewed existing global and regional developments in NCD prevention and control, solicited feedback from CIS countries, and developed a working agreement on collaboration and technical support to countries to develop comprehensive health system responses.
Through her participation, Dr. Petrosyan shared Armenia’s experience with the European colleagues, demonstrated the research and educational capacity of the AUA College of Health Sciences, and promoted international recognition of AUA in public health and health services research through collaboration with European and CIS colleagues.