AN INTERVIEW WITH ONCOLOGIST DR. DIKRAN KAZANDJIAN
January 25, 2013
The following interview first appeared in Armenian in the Dec. 5,
2012 issue of our Armenian-language publication, the Hairenik Weekly.
Hairenik Weekly: Dr. Dikran Kazandjian, as an oncologist (cancer
specialist) who recently visited Armenia, how do you evaluate the
country’s public health condition?
Dr. Dikran Kazandjian Dikran Kazandjian: I was born and raised in a
patriotic Armenian family, received my medical education in America,
and always dreamed of helping our fatherland as best I could. I
remember my first trip to Armenia, which was close to 10 years ago,
when I was still a medical student at Boston University. During my
summer break, I spent time in Armenia and visited Artsakh [Karabagh],
which, all together, provided a great moment of enlightenment. After
this, I had other opportunities to visit Armenia, especially pertaining
to medicine. I was even afforded the chance to work for two months in
a hospital in Yerevan during medical school, which gave me some insight
into the Armenian medical system. During this time I made relationships
with local physicians, allowing me to further understand the field
of medicine and, in general, the culture of medicine in Armenia.
Now, my evaluation is not one-sided; there are both good and bad
sides that I can speak about at length. In general, there are a few
professions, traditionally, that Armenians are known for (for example,
jewelry, law, and of course, medicine). This means that there is huge
potential for Armenians to turn into truly talented and dedicated
physicians. It is important that we effectively manage our healthcare
system and select and prepare the correct fields to mature, which
unfortunately, I have not seen thus far.
And, unfortunately, it is not always the case that aid from the
diaspora goes to the most deserving and talented physicians. A
physician’s noble specialty does not equate well with the typical
short-sighted “business” plan that typically infects all fields in
Armenia. A physician’s profession is a God-given right, a calling
to heal people by those given the talent. When non-virtuous factors
intervene, truly talented physicians become disappointed with the
status quo. This creates various deep moral, psychological, and
financial issues. And the only solution, some will say, is to leave
the fatherland. Young, gifted physicians who don’t receive the right
encouragement will see emigration as the only solution. What is even
more alarming is that this is becoming an issue of national security:
An exodus of future talented physicians is a serious threat to public
safety and the wellbeing of any country. It is fundamental to have
the condition of the state healthcare system on the national agenda.
HW: Please explain the arrangement you made at the U.S. National
Institutes of Health (NIH) for the Armenian patient from Armenia.
DK: I have been working as a cancer specialist at the NIH for around
four years. The NIH is comprised of many internationally renowned
specialists who treat a wide and complicated variety of medical
illnesses. However, the treatment modalities that the NIH has excelled
in and is known for are hematopoietic stem-cell transplantation
(bone marrow transplant) and immunotherapy.
During my trips to Armenia, I typically meet with my oncologist
friends, and as we discuss different patients I give my advice on their
care. It was during one of these sessions that I met a patient who
was diagnosed with leukemia, and whose definitive curative treatment
necessitated a bone marrow transplant. This patient was an active
worker and had four children to take care of. Given the availability of
treatments in Armenia, however, he was forced to seek care outside of
the country. I offered to coordinate his treatment care and have him
and his brother (his match donor) to temporarily move to Washington,
D.C., to receive the needed treatment from the NIH. I began organizing
the transfer and discussing his case with my NIH colleagues, thus
reducing his wait time. I then decided to actively participate with
the primary healthcare team responsible for his care at the NIH. I
am happy that, with God’s help, he has been proceeding well and that
he has many years left to serve his family and our fatherland.
HW: How involved was the Armenian community in Washington, D.C.?
DK: The ARF “Sebouh” Gomideh’s involvement is praiseworthy. Our ungers
immediately created a committee for Armenian medical aid comprised
of members from our different organizations, and played a large part
in the patient’s everyday and non-clinical needs. The ARS “Satenig”
Chapter, along with the Washington Armenian community at large,
helped with his practical needs, including finding residence. They
greeted him and his brother with open arms and created an atmosphere
that resembled a small Armenia for them.
HW: What thoughts do you have about the field of oncology and of
medicine, in general? What international Armenian possibilities do
you see?
DK: Much thought is needed about the future of oncology in Armenia,
keeping in mind that a new cancer center with modern equipment is
currently being constructed. Of course, this is great news. But
my hope is that the funds and effort spent on this center are not
only to make it an exceptional physical structure with exceptional
equipment, but also to organize, prepare, and train exceptional future
oncologists. I feel that this is the most important, albeit difficult,
aspect. Regardless, in real terms, medicine will develop and mature
when justice and fairness become the guiding principle, and begin to
serve the general public in Armenia. Only when the political field
is healed and made right will the medical field and Armenia’s public
health condition improve and advance in any significant way.
Nevertheless, our Washington Armenian community is strong, and I am
sure it will remain that way for a long time: Our D.C. Armenian Medical
Association works on delivering much-needed medicine and expertise
to Artsakh, while our ungers help our Armenian people, as much as
they can. We are currently working hard to deliver medication and
funds for our Syrian-Armenian brothers. Our patriotic ungers always
attempt to do what they can, and to deliver aid to needy Armenians
found on the four corners of the world.
http://www.armenianweekly.com/2013/01/25/an-interview-with-oncologist-dr-dikran-kazandjian/