“My opponent is the me from last year” says the first participant of the intership program for foreign practicing doctors at leading medical and scientific centers of Russia, Nairi Melkonyan, a doctor from Armenia

At the end of 2023, INTERDOCTOR: a project implemented by Ministry of Health of the Russian Federation and Pirogov Russian National Research Medical University, had begun. The first participant was Doctor Nairi Melkonyan, a practicing urologist and operating surgeon at the department of urology of the Mikaelyan Institute of Surgery at Yerevan State Medical University named after Mkhitar Heratsi.

We invite you to read the interview about Doctor Melkonyan's experience at the Blokhin National Medical Research Centre of Oncology.

— Doctor Melkonyan, how did you find out about the INTERDOCTOR project and why did you decide to take part in it?

— I learned about this program from the governance of Yerevan Medical University. My candidacy was proposed by the Head of the Urology department - Associate Professor Varuzhan Shahsuvaryan, PhD. I heard a lot about the Blokhin National Medical Research Centre of Oncology. Firstly I wanted to see how the specialists work there, feel the atmosphere and see the technical equipment of the center. Moreover, such experience can help in my future medical activities and bring me one step closer to my professional dream.

— You were the first who submitted. How long did the procedure of consideration take?

— Despite minor technical difficulties, the consideration of the application took only a few days. Communication with the operator took place almost in real time, technical specialists operatively helped resolve all emerging issues.

— Did your relatives support this idea?

— Yes. My parents, my brother and my wife are doctors. We all understand that we need to constantly improve in medicine. Purpose with perseverance help us achieve success.

— Is this your first internship experience in Russia?

— In 2017, I came for internship at Pirogov City Clinical Hospital №1, where my journey in laparoscopic urology began. Professor Sergei Kotov was my curator there. After that, I repeatedly improved my qualifications, mainly in oncourology, in various medical centers in Russia.

— What new skills did you master this time?

— These were my next steps in laparoscopic urology and my first step in robotic surgery. This was my first time working with the DAVINCI robot. I express my deep gratitude to my colleagues who helped me get acquainted with all the nuances in this new direction.

— Tell us about the atmosphere at the Center. Who was your mentor and tell us about team you worked with?

— My mentor was Professor Vsevolod Matveev, Head of the Department of Oncourology at the Blokhin National Medical Research Centre of Oncology, leading oncourologist in Russia. A warm and friendly atmosphere in oncourology department is all because of him. I have developed not only professional, but also friendly relationships with my colleagues who are talented doctors. I was glad to see my compatriots amongst them.

— How can you apply the knowledge and skills that you received at the Center in your professional practice in Armenia?

— At the entrance to the Blokhin National Medical Research Centre of Oncology you can read the following quote from the academician, Nikolai Blokhin: “A great blessing given to a doctor is to save a life.” Robotic surgery also helps save patients. And I hope that in the near future this medical area will become relevant in Armenia and my skills will be useful there.

— Would you advise to your colleagues to take a part in this project?

— Certainly! There is no development in medicine without such practical experience. I think, many doctors will be able to participate in such programs if they are long-lasting.

— Do you plan to participate in this project in the future?

— Yes. A doctor needs to constantly develop and improve himself in order to help patients as much as possible, so I adhere to the following principle: “My opponent is the me from last year”.

Back