Medical Clinic

The ARM Medical Clinic grew from a pharmacy supplied by all of the medications two suitcases could hold. In 1992, Dr. Steve Kashian visited Armenia and the city of Vanadzor following a devastating earthquake. He brought with him donated drug samples that would become the start of a long-term medical work in Vanadzor. A storefront pharmacy was soon established, but by 1995 the permanent ARM Medical Clinic was built. This clinic continues to provide free diagnostic services , free patient care and free pharmaceuticals to the people of Vanadzor who still need aid, now more than 15 years after the earthquake.

The clinic has 14 staff, all native Armenians. There are four full-time staff members, including a highly skilled physician, Dr. Ruzanna Hayrapetyan. Other members of the staff include a pharmacist, diagnostic technicians and nurses. The clinic logs more than 600 patient visits each month. The clinic is piloting a mammogram testing program with the goal of testing every woman in Vanadzor (which has a population of over 40,000 people.)

The clinic serves as a base for clothing distribution to needy families. Dr. Ruzanna and her staff are always vigilantly looking to discern the needs of their patients, both from a healthcare standpoint and a quality of life aspect. The clinic helps determine which individuals and families in the community are most in need of aid, with programs such as ARM’s Winter Relief Program.