RAMA REPORT

Russian American Medical Association Founded and Incorporated in 2002 by the Russian Physicians of North America

The 9th Joint National Medical and Scientific Conference November 10-11, 2012 Philadelphia, PA USA Research and Clinical Experience Reports, News and Projects Missions to Russia

Contents The 9th Joint National Medical & Scientific Conference

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2012 RAMA-RADA-RASA Leaders, Featured Presentations

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Guest Speaker: Dr. Aleksander Fertman Guest Speaker: Dr. David S. Lind Guest Speaker: Dr. Walter Cohen RAMA: Dr. Boris Vinogradsky RADA: Dr. RADA Sumareva-Ukrainsky RASA: Dr. Vladimir Shiltsev Dr. Boris Vinogradsky: On a Mission for Better Health Care: Mission to Tomsk

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RAMA Medical Mission to Yaroslavl

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RAMA Medical Mission to Leninsk-Kuznetsky

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RAMA & ICHF Mission to Kemerovo Continues

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Hosting Medical Professionals from Kazakhstan

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RAMA Educational Project with American Medical Education Institute

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Dr. Yakov Elgudin, RAMA President 2010-2012 RAMA Educational Project with American Medical Education Institute RAMA Main Events 2012

RAMA Newly Elected President, Dr. Igor Efimov

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RAMA Core Activity

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2013 RAMA Journal Call for Abstracts

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Contacts3

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RAMA Conference 2012 The 9th Joint National Medical & Scientific Conference RAMA - www.russiandoctors.org RADA - www.russiandentists.org RASA - www.dumaem-po-russki.com

Philadelphia Welcomed RAMA, RADA and RASA! Medical, Dental and Scinetific Sessions

Annual Concert and Gala Dinner

Annual Concert and Gala Dinner

For information about our next conference and speaking opportunities, please contact RAMA Marketing & Communictions Director Isabella Segal at [email protected]

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RAMA-RADA-RASA JOINT CONFERENCE-2012

9th Annual National Medical and Scientific Conference On a Mission for Better Health Care

November 9-11, 2012 Hotel Sofitel Philadelphia www.sofitel.com

120 South 17th Street, Philadelphia, PA 19103 CME/CE credits provided

Contact us: RAMA Tel.: (440) 953-8055 www.RussianDoctors.org

RADA 1-866-RADA DDS (723-2337) www.RussianDentists.org

RASA [email protected] http://rasa-usa.org/

RAMA conference keynote speakers Dr. Aleksander Fertman speaks at the 2012 RAMA-RASA-RADA Conference Dr. Fertman is Director of Clister Science Nuclear Technology at the Skolkovo Foundation in Moscow, Russia. During his presentation the introduced strategic goal of the Skolkovo Innovation Centre and major directions of tecnological development, including nuclear. . The strategic goal of the Skolkovo Innovation Centre is to concentrate international intellectual capital and to stimulate the development of break-through projects and technologies. In the course of implementation of the project, companies that are engaged in

innovative development are discovered. They are provided with all help necessary for development. The Skolkovo Foundation and its partners transform the infrastructure, resources and other possibilities of the centre, into effective services for companies a that are project participants. Within the Skolkovo project, five clusters are created: IT Cluster, Space Cluster, Biomed Cluster, Enegry Efficiency Cluster and Nuclear Technology Cluster. The objective of the latter is the innovative development of nuclear technologies to create new products for the power market and technological systems.

Dr David S. Lind speaks at the RAMA-RADA-RASA Conference RAMA keynote spaker, Dr. David S. Lind chairman of the Dep. of Surgery at Drexel University College of Medicine. He’s been named among top US doctors by the Castle Connolly Medical Ltd. and has won numerous other honors, including many teaching awards. Dr. Lind emphasized the impoortamce of international collaboration as well as working with RAMA and its professional resources on making the improvements in the health care worldwide and specifically in Russia.

Dr. Walter Cohen speaks at the Dr. Gozman has served as RAMA-RADA-RASA Conference deputy chairman of the Union of Right Forces.a He is also a We had a special honor to present keynote address from Dr. Walter Cohen, DDS. the Dean Emeritus professor of the Social Psy- of the University of Pennsylvania cholog School e rof Dental Medicine, Mosc iversity. Society. former president of the Philadelphia Diabetic His speech was devoted to understanding the signithe Woodrow Wilson disease Interna- and the systemic ficance of the link between oralhealth. He also addressed medical and dental management considerations for the patient with Diabetes Mellitus. Dr. Cohen is a world renowned expert in the field of dentistry. He has served as the Dean of the U of PA, and Chancellor at MCP Hahnemann University of Health Sciences in Phila., PA. He is a diplomat of the American Board of Periodontology (AAP) and has a a private practice in periodontics. He has authored . has received numerous textbooks and articles and numerous awards from all over the world. RAMA Report | 6

RAMA-RADA-RASA Leaders - Conference 2012 - Featured Presentations

RAMA - Philadelphia, November 10-11, 2012 Dr. Lev Korovin, an M.D. candidate, delivered a great presentation about his first hands-on experience with RAMA’s partner andcollaborator. International Children’s Heart Foundation on a mission to Kharkov, Ukraine where 22 young children have been saved.

Dr. Boris Vinogradsky, RAMA founder, first president & leader of the association, has taken the organization to a new level. At the joint conference, he em phasized the importance of the RAMA mission for better health care in the US and in the former Soviet U n i o n and outlined recent successful projects and RAMA’s ambitious plans for 2013 that include medical missions, observerships and hosting international groups.

Liz Ingraham from the Educational Commission forr Foreign Medical Graduates held an ECFMG Certificate Holders Office (ECHO) informational s ession about the ECFMG's acculturation program support & service to ECFMG-certified physicians as they plan their careers.

The 9th joint RAMA-RADA-RASA conference took place in Philadelphia’s dowmtown, in beautiful Hotel Sofitel on November 10-11, 2012. RAMA is the nation’s only professional medical association uniting Russian-speaking medical and other healthcare professionals. RAMA is devoted to medical science, research and pursuing its noble mission for improving patient care in the US and former SU countries.

Andrei Seryi, Director of the John Adams Institute for Accelerator Science, Oxford, UK, presented at the conference focusing at development of new forms of scientific & technical process in Russia and the role of the Russian community abroad to strengthen the science of the historic homeland. Andrei Seryi has led international scientific collaborations since the mid 80s.

The 9th conference was a great venue for international healthcare professionals to interact with a diverse group of the US-based Russian-speaking physicians, educators and scientists and other professionals. At the conference, participants attended scientific and educational sessions as well as numerous exhibits. Creating professionally enriching and attractive conferences is our priority. We thank all RAMA members and followers for tremendous support and participation in the event. Our 2013 event location will be announced soon. Look forward to seeing you at the next conference!

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RAMA-RADA-RASA Leaders - Conference 2012 - Featured Presentations

RADA - Phiadelphia, November 10-11, 2012 Dr. Christina Tammaro, Cerec Specialist, introduced the most successful techniques using the intrument CEREC, a breakthrough instrument that allows dentists to quickly restore damaged teeth with natural-colored ceramic fillings, saving patients time & inconvenience.

Dr. Rada Sumareva, the founder and President of RADA reported on the association's major projects and initiatives in the past year and called for a more structured approach to spreading awarness of oral cancer in the US and countries of the former Soviet Union. Plans for 2013 include charity campaigns, obserververships & assiatance with RADA internal groups.

Gill Frellick, Sirona 3D product specialist introduced the use of 3D digital radiography in dentistry. Sirona offers a choice of cone beam systems designed to fit the needs of any practice. As the largest innovator, the company is a preferred . partner for dental proctices worldwide.

The success of the Oral Cancer and Smoking cessation campaign attracted a lot of attention from numerous national organizations, governmental entities & media. Dr. D. Walter Cohen, Dean Emeritus of the University of Pennsylvania and former President of the Philadelphia Diabetes Society, in his keynote address, onece again emphasized the importance of the systemic of the systemic health. He congratulated RAMA, RADA,

Gregory Winteregg, DDS., Executive VP of MGE Management Experts Inc. He infor-med the conference attendees about the ways to protect medical business, or “How To RecessionProof Your Practice" and carried out a workshop for dentists and physicians. Dr. Gregory Winteregg uses L. Ron Hubbard’s management technology consulting dental practice owners on ways to improve business.

and RASA on their outstanding effort in bringing together physicians, dentists and scientists. The dental program featured great presentations on new technologies by Christina Tammaro, Gill Frenic, as well as a half-day practice management seminar by nationally renowned Dr. Greg Winteregg, President and CEO of the MGE Institute. The conference included a well organized social program, consisted of private tours around Philadelphia, the fa mous BarnesFoundation, and a fundraising concert at the prestigious Curtis Institute of Music culminating with an outstanding piano concert by world renown pianist Maxim Mogilevsky.

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RAMA-RADA-RASA Leaders - Conference 2012 - Featured Presentations

RASA - Phiadelphia, November 10-11, 2012 Prof. Artem Oganov, SUNY, forcused his presentation on his recent trip to Russia and on providing support to facullty & students of the univercities in the Chechen Republic. The scientific part of his presentation featured enabling the computational materials discovery. Dr. Irina Dezhina, IMEMO (Moscow) emphasized the importance of supporting 1000 research laboratories, leading science schools, science & educational centers in the postSoviet rea in Russia. She addressed the association and called for collaboration and support from RASA.

Vladimir Shiltsev, RASA President and Director of the Accelerator Physics Center, addressed the conference attendees on the growth of RASA, its cooperative projects with international scientific organizations that can provide great experience needed for modernization of Russia. Skolkovo project was the main point of the dicussion, as multiple collaboration opportunities will be available once a Research Center is established. In 2012, RASA-USA celebrated a new milestone, as its membership reached 120, elected new association president, Artem Oganov, SUNY, and expanded participation and support of the Russian scientific community. RASA is actively developing its outreach programs with ICAS, establishing close working relations with the Russian Center for Science and Culture in Washington, DC, Skolkovo Innovation Centre, SkTech, leadding Russian universities, AARW (Alliance of American

Dr. Lyuba Vartikovski who represents the National Cancer Institute & National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD introduced a topic on stem cells as source of regenerative tissues, and potential therapeutic and clinical use of stem cells. In summary, the presentation was devoted to the new era in personolized medicine, developing safer protocols for tissue engineering and cell therapy.

and Russian Women), RuSciTech (UK), APS (American Physical Society), and Russian Academy of Sciences. The conference in Philadelphia marked a new period of RASA’s organizational strength & development. During the event RASA Board members updated the conference attendees on the latest events and projects, such as: progress achieved with the association’s first Journal, monument to Lomonosov in DC, meetings with representatives of the Russian Academy of Sciences, development of the RASA-Europe and a business innovation center in Zurich, and engaging National Institute of Health in the RASA international work.

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On a Mission for Better Health Care Dr. Boris Vinogradsky: Mission to Tomsk to Save Prematurely Born Infants. RAMA is actively pursuing its quest for better health care in the US and overseas through its medical missions, education and charity. Our organization helps people whose domestic healthcare systems do not provide the support and care necessary

care services for newborns with low and extremely low birth weight, Da Vinci robotic system surgeries, services for HIV-positive pregnant women, substance and alcohol abusers and those who are economically disadvantaged or otherwise underprivileged. RAMA and RPG have already agreed on the first steps of our

for adequate patient treatment no matter where they live. Therefore, reaching as far the Russian Siberia is a priority for RAMA. RAMA’s long-term success in Kemerovo and its exposure to media resonated in the area. In March of 2012, the head of high-risk obstetric hospital in Tomsk, Alexandr Kholopov, approached RAMA about collaboration. The main focus of our future cooperation with the Regional Perinatal Center (RPG) include the areas of obstetrics, gynecology and neonatology. The Head of Tomsk Department of Health and the Governor of the Tomsk Region expressed their full support for RPG and RAMA potential joint endeavors. The main objectives of our long-term cooperation will touch upon the following areas: surgery of newborns, retinopathy of prematurity; high-risk obstetrics, health

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cooperation. In February of 2013, RAMA is going to host a group of doctors from Tomks for an introductory overview of the American Healthcare System and professional Observership in neonatal care. RAMA medical mission to Tomsk will follow in Spring of 2013. A plan of joint activities (exchange of delegations, video-conferences, visits of American medical professionals to Tomsk with lectures, workshops, exchange of high tech innovations in healthcare, etc.) is currently being developed. We are looking forward to this cooperation and are open to any suggestions and ideas you maight have regarding our work and invite you to join RAMA on a mission for better healthcare overseas.

RAMA Mission to Yaroslavl RAMA Mission to Yaroslavl, Prospective Developments Boris Vinogradsky, MD In April of 2012, RAMA initiated an exploratory medical mission to the heart of Russia, Yaroslavl. The goal of the mission was to share expertise and estimate RAMA contribution that could make a difference in the performance of the Yaroslavl local medical specialists and to reduce the target clinic's death rate. RAMA medical experts from different parts of USA gathered in Yaroslavl on April 7th, 2012 for a one-week mission. The group included such remarkable doctors as: Dr. Samuel J Durham with 25 years years of medical experience and practice in Cardiothoracic Vascular Surgery (from Michigan), Dr. Yevgeniy Khavkin with 14 years experience in neurosurgery (from Nevada), Dr. Pavel Krapiva 32 years experience in radiology & neuroradiology (from Washington DC) and Dr. Boris Vinogradsky with 20 years of experience in general surgery and trauma (from Ohio). The doctors arrived in Yaroslavl at 8 pm on April 7th and started admitting patients at 8 am the following morning. They stayed at the clinic all day reviewing patients' history and planning for surgeries for the the rest of their visit. The week was very tough: 12 open heart surgeries, a number of invasive and non-

invasive vascular procedures; educational sessions consultations, discussions, multiple meetings and negotiations. The group's average work day lasted 10-12 hours. That time allowed both RAMA and surgeons from the Regional Yaroslavl Clinic share experience, review differences in applied techniques, clinical pathways and protocols used in surgeries.

Meetings and new developments. Despite the long hours, the group managed to meet with Sergey Vakhrukov - Governor of the Yroslavl Region, Dr. Igor Kargamanjan - one of the leaders of the Yaroslavl Government Healthcare Administration Viktor Kostin - Executive - Deputy to the Governor on Healthcare and Social Issues, Aleksey Pavlov - rector of the Yaroslavl Medical Academy.

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RAMA Medical Mission to Leninsk-Kuznetsky , lectures and discussions of complex clinical rounds

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cases. They also visited a locall community hospital and went down a working coal mine. Each member of In October, a group of RAMA doctors went to the city of Leninsk-Kuznetsky in the Kemerovo region of Russia on a medical mission. The group consisted of five doctors: Dr. Boris Vinogradsky - a general surgeon, Dr. Vikram Rao - a vascular surgeon, both from Cleveland, OH, Dr. Timir Banerjee - a neurosurgeon from Louisville, KY, Dr. Pedro Rojas - a genecologist from New York, NY and Valery Proudkii - a photographer from Washington, DC. The purpose of the trip was to explore the possibilities of creating a large exchange program between RAMA

the group is planinng to return to Leninsk-Kuznetsky to continue work in his field. A group of doctors from Leninsk is scheduled to come to the United States . for a 10-day visit in February of 2013 Leninsk Kuznetsky is located in the west of Kemerovo region and is a 2,400-square km (930 sq mi) area with a population of about 24,000 people. The Scientific Clinical Center for Miners serves miners and their families residing in Kuzbass. Leninsk-Kuznetsky is one of the main coal mining centers of the Kuznetsk Basin. Quite

& the Healthcare Center for Miners in Leninsk-Kuznetsky. a number of mines are within the limits of the city. Close proximity of this location to Kemerovo in many ways made this mission unprecedented because it ran in parallel with another group of doctors sponsored by RAMA - as part of the RAMA-ICHF Siberian Pediatric Heart Project. Doctors from Minsk came to Kemerovo Center of Cardiology and Heart Surgery to continue working with the heart surgeons there. Never before have RAMA and ICHF conducted medical missions in the same region of Russia simultaneously. During their visit to Leninsk Kuznetsky doctors performed over 30 operations, participated in surgical

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RAMA Mission to Kemerovo Continues The joint RAMA / ICHF flagship mission to Kemerovo started in 2007 and continues today. RAMA/ICHF missions helped to dramatically reduce death rate among young children with congenital heart pathology. Kemerovo becomes the regional benchmark for children survivability. Thanks to this long-term mission, Kemerovo team of surgeons and supporting staff reached tremendous professional growth which, in turn, allowed to significantly improve the survival rate among young children in Kemerovo region. The very latest mission in Kemerovo was again successful thanks to joint cooperation between ICHF & RAMA mission participants. Recently, the director of ICHF, Dr. Bill Novick recently delivered a heart-warming update to share the great achievements of the mission that took place in October of this year. Novick noted, “Thirteen precious lives were saved during the two-week mission by Dr. Boris Vinogradsky’s team from Cleveland and Toledo, OH. Two very difficult surgeries were performed and they were and the first of their kind in Siberia. All these children would have perished without our help.” Great strides have been made in Kemerovo. The confidence and capability of

Kemerovo Perspective is still on the same level it was when the mission started. So, RAMA and ICHF are actively looking for funding to continue this long term collaboration with the Kemerovo Center of Cardiology and Cardiac Surgery. The team of doctors is hopeful and is in good spirits because of the great results each mission brings. The complexity of surgeries and effective team work with Kemerovo partners produce a solid basis and reasons for long-term sponsorships. The need is still there. Our goal is to help Kemerovo Cardiac Center

the local team has improved dramatically! The mission achieve independence in neonatal and complex will continue for at least a couple more years. The num- pediatric heart surgery, ber of children with heart pathologies in Kemerovo Connect with us on major SM portals and get updates.

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Hosting Medical Professionals From Kazakhstan RAMA introduces doctors from the Republican Scientific Center for Emergency CareAstana, Kazakhstan to the American Healthcare System. Dr. Kenneth Alibek is renown American scientist specializing in immunology, microbiology, biotechnology, biodefense, & biopharmaceuticals, and holds leading roles in the management of MaxWell Biocorporation, LLC (USA), the Scientific Production Oncological & Cardiological Center Max-Well, Ukr.

In the Spring of 2012, the Russian American Medical Association collaborated with Dr. Kenneth Alibek, Chairman of the Board of the Republican Scientific Center for Emergency Care (RSCEC), Astana, KZ about hosting groups of multi-specialty medical professionals from RSCEC and introducing them to the American healthcare practices. RSCEC is a high technology center. offering expert pre-hospital and resuscitation aid and a multispecialty in-patient department and a high-potential rehabilitation facility. During the four months, from July to November, RAMA hosted 25 doctors from Astana introducing them to the American Healthcare System. The diverse specialty groups had an opportunity to meet with leading medical specialists from Cleveland Clinic, University Hospitals, Lake Health Systems; also visited a rehabilitation center, hospice facility in Cleveland Nevada Spine

Clinic and National Institute of Health in Washington.

Testimonial Dr rved aswith one “We had a unique opportunity to work directly of the UnionDept. of the best specialists from chairman the Vascular Surgery of Right Forces at Cleveland Clinic, Doctor Matthew Eagleton. He is the professor of the Social Psy- and expert in treating aortic aneurism of the thoracic e r to see endovascular abdominal aorta. Wecholog had a chance Mosc provision of iversity. methods at work, observed dialysisHe access has served as a researcher for and minimally invasive treatments for venous disease. the Woodrow Wilson InternaThat is the type of experience we will never forget. Thank you, RAMA, for this opportunity.” Sagandykov, Irlan, PhD, MD Astana, Kazakhstan

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RAMA-AMEI Educational Project The available programs include four or six week onsite training schedules for various specialties and incorporate rotations with physicians and other health care professionals from the chosen specialty for a more in-depth real-world view. The following specialties are covered by the current programs: Orthopedic, Neurosurgery, Pain Management, General Surgery, Cardiology, Gastroenterology, Gynecology and Arthroscopy. Other specialty training may be provided upon request.

RAMA & AMEI Joint Project Hands-on experience in a professional clinical setting is practically impossible to obtain for US and international medical graduates. To create such opportunity became possible when RAMA and American Medical Education Institute led by one of the former RAMA presidents, Dr. Dmitry Arbuck joined its resources and developed a comprehensive curriculum. The idea of this project is to provide the highest level of medical education for health care professionals internationally through a combination of didactic and practical training. The goal of the project is to imrove professional education and, thus, imprvong health care in the US and internationally by offering high world class training using high tech resources and professional expertise.

There is an increased need for medical education internationally for all healthcare professionals and specialties. Therefore, we collaborated with the world renowned faculty members from diverse specialties to create and implement an educational curri culum and training materials to meet this need. We developed a broad range of resources, including didactic, hands-on cadaveric, surgical observation and rotations with health-care professionals and physicians of various specialties, to ensure healthcare professionals from US or CIS countries may provide optimum and the latest care for their patients. The program also provides long-distance learning options and complete logistic support. RAMA-AMEI Project

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Dr. Yakov Elgudin: RAMA President, 2010-2012

From left to right: Dr. Sagdeev Dr Elgudin, RAMA President 2010-2012 Rada Sumareva RADA President Elena Vasserman, RAMA Board Member

Dr. Yakov Elgudin has finished his fruitful 2 year tenure as the RAMA President Dear RAMA Members and Friends: It has been my distinct privilege and a great honor to serve as a RAMA President over the last two years. These h ave been rather busy and interesting years, full of events and developments that will leave a long lasting impact on the future of our associaiton. Our “soul searching” continued through these years and seems to have started bringing in some results that, at least in a short-term,appear to be reflective of our ability to do important work that hopefully will inspire many more of our colleagues and partners to get involved with the projects that are already on the way and start new and even more exciting work! I hope everyone attending our meeting in Philadelphia will have an opportunity to learn about RAMA medical missions that have been started over the last several years. RAMA trips to Siberia in collaboration with the ICHF team had successfully continued on a regula r basis since 2008 and helped creating a Pediatric Cardiac Surgery Program at the Kemerovo Center of Cardiology and Cardiac Surgery.

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Bill Novick, MD – Founder and President of the ICHF gave a Keynote Address at the RAMA Meeting in Las Vegas a year ago. The Cardiac Surgery mission to Yaroslavl and multispecialty mission to LeninskKuznetsky took place over the year of 2012 indicating a strong and growing interest of the health care officials and organizations in Russia to effectively collaborate with RAMA. . I can see how this worl will greatly expand over the next several years to many different regions in Russia and other countries and will involve various medical and surgical specialties. There has been an incredible enthusiasm and interest among the US physicians in participating in RAMA’s medical missions. We anticipate that Russian Federal Government will step up their support of RAMA’s regional work and come up with a Federal Program that will bring this activity to a completely different level. Our educational work had been profoundly transformed over the last year or so. RAMA now has several ongoing educational and training programs that allow for both individuals and small groups to come

Dr. Yakov Elgudin: RAMA President, 2010-2012 From left to right: Dr Vinogradsky, RAMA Founder Dr Elgudin, RAMA President 2010-2012 Dr. Rada Sumareva RADA President Dr Igor Efimov, RAMA President 2013

Dr. Yakov Elgudin plans to continue to be actively involed in the RAMA projects. from Russia and other countries to the leading medical centers in the US for obserships for different

RAMA Conference and could easily be awarded such an honor again! Clearly, many of our projects would

periods of time. I am sure this program will continue

be impossible to complete without Olga’s tenacious

to expand both geographically & on the spectrum

and highly efficient work. I would like to also thank

of participating specialists. There is also a pheno- Isabella Segal, MBA who has recently joined RAMA and mena of a “closed loop” that we had recently come appre-

has already contributed a whole lot of energy,

ciate. After the observers complete their training

common sense, and enthusiasm to our projects.

here they invite RAMA to start a medical mission

But most of all, I would like to thank my great friend

or other types of continued collaboration where

and RAMA’s Founder – Boris Vinogradsky, MD,

they came from. Our Kazakhstan project is a good Chairman of the RAMA Board for his grand vision, example of such development. unstoppable and endless energy and unequivocal support in everything we have accomplished. Boris RAMA has certainly become a well-known source of critical information and support for many doctors, nurses, medical students, and patients alike in

epitomizes the relentless leader that RAMA owes its success of the past and promise of the future.

Russia and countries of the FSU. We take this role

I would like to thank all my friends –members of the

very seriously and will continue doing the best we can RAMA Board for their support and dedication as well with many requests for help that we constantly receive.

as all RAMA members for a unique honor of serving as RAMA President for the last two years. I will con-

We also made several crucial organizational impro-

tinue to work on and contribute to every RAMA project that we have already started and those currently

vements that dramatically advanced RAMA’s ability to work efficiently on its projects. RAMA’s Executive Director Olga Osipoff, MBA had been an absolutely invaluable asset for the Association. She received the the Most Valuable Person Award at last year’s

being developed. I will fully support RAMA as an immediate past president and will share all I know with a newly elected RAMA president. Best of luck to all RAMA Members and Friends in all your present and future endeavors! Sincerely, Yakov Elgidin, MD, PhD, FACS

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RAMA Main Events, 2012 Hosting surgeons from Surgut

Doctors from Kazakhstan

March 2012

July-November 2012

RAMA hosted a group of cardiologists/cardiovascular surgeons from the Surgut area and provided them with an opportunity to complete an introductory clinical comparative study of the American healthcare system.

RAMA hosted dozens of medical professionals from Kazakhstan and introduced them to the American healthcare system offering clinical observerships,

information exchange, private clinicians and related industry organizations and institutions.

RAMA mission to Yaroslavl

RAMA mission to Kuzbass

April 2012

October 2012

Dr. Boris Vinogradsky initiated an exploratory medical mission to the central Russia, Yaroslavl. The group included a cardiosurgeon from MI, neurosurgeon from Nevada, and a radiologist from Washington. Dr. Vinogradsky handled trauma cases. This mission to the Russian heartland allowed RAMA to establish great relationship with the clinic, regional government and open new prospectives for collaboration.

RAMA started a new series of medical missions to Siberia in addition to its flagship project in Kemerovo. The first mission to Leninsk-Kuznetsky, which is in the heart of Kuzbass, opens new opportunites for mutually enriching relationship and development of new specialty departments at the hosting clinic. Doctors successfully operated on miners and their families suffering from a variety of medical disorders.

RAMA celebrated its 10th anniversary

RAMA-RADA-RASA conference

May 2012

November 2012

Leaders of RAMA and its supporters gathered in Cleve-

For the 9th time in its 10-year history, RAMA held

land to celebrate its 10 years of tireless work and achi- another joint conference that generated new ideas, evements. Over the years, the association has grown projects and cooperative business opportunites. its membership to almost 700 and engaged many sup- Leaders of all three organizations presented a clear porters into its activities. RAMA directs its efforts tow- integrated strategy for 2013 and beyond. New deveard international education and professional collabora-

lopments in Russia and increased activity of IMGs in

tion with Russia and countries of the former SU.

the US inspired an informative agenda and meetings.

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Igor Efimov, RAMA President, 2013 The newly elected RAMA president is Dr. Igor Efimov, He is a past president of RASA and one of the most active supporters of the Russian-American group of healthcare and science professionals in the US and abroad. Igor is the Associate Editor at the American Journal of Physiology forcusing on heart and circulatory physiology & IEEE transactions on biometrical engineering. Igor Efimov, Ph.D, F.A.H.A., F.H .R.S. The Lucy and Stanley Lopata Distinguished Professor, Department of Biomedical Engineering, Washington University, St. Louis Dear RAMA Members, I am humbled and proud to be elected as the new president of the Russian American Medical Association. RAMA has just celebrated its 10th birthday. Congratulations to all members and to Dr. Boris Vinogradsky, the founder and chairman of the board of RAMA, whose vision and passion led us through these formative years to current success and prestige of RAMA. I have been fortunate to participate in the work of this great organization from the very beginning. Now I am looking forward to furthering medical, scientific, business, and educational agenda of RAMA. In this letter I would like to introduce several new initiatives.

Board in January in Napa Valley, California. Second: I am happy to announce the establishment of a new journal, "Журнал", of Russian speaking professional engineering, business, dental, legal and investment comworld-wide community encompassing medical, scientific, munities. Third: RAMA has established an honorable tradition of medical & educational missions that has saved hundreds of lives in Russia and helped Russian physicians in acquiring new skills, learning new therapies, competences, & practices. In the upcoming year we will continue these activities and will add new directions in sharing our expertise. On Dec. 6, I will represent RAMA at the round table discussion in Washington, DC that will bring together Russian & American experts in education, business and sciences aiming to enhance translational science in Russia. In May of 2013, RAMA will participate in a visit to the Far East Federal University, a newly established research University in Vladivostok that has recently hosted a G-20 Summit of APEC economies. In 2013, we will take part in developing a new education and research program in the newly created Dept. of Physics & Technology. RAMA mem bers will continue developing new medical businesses in Skolkovo and other Russian innovation centers. These are just a few examples from our growing portfolio of projects. I look forward to an exciting year! I invite all of you

First: To further invigorate the life of our organization, to join our discussion about RAMA’s bright future and to become part of that future. I would like to call for nominations of new members of the Board of Directors, who have the ideas, energy and experience needed for RAMA to significantly expand and flourish in the next decade. We invite nominations, including self-nominations, for these prestigious positions of new leaders who have breakthrough ideas for new direction and new projects related to medical missions, biomedical training programs, novel approaches to biomedical education, and new advancements in medical industry and technology. To brainstorm the future of RAMA, I call New President Address for a retreat of the current and aspiring members of the 19 | RAMA Report

RUSSIAN AMERICAN MEDICAL ASSOCIATION Since 2002 On a Mission for Better Health Care Vision Our vision is to promote professional solidarity in the pursuit of excellence in patient care, teaching and research and bring the best of medical knowledge and experience from American and Russian healthcare professionals, scientists and businessmen to foster productive international cooperation.

Core Activity Individual Observerships International Education Medical Missions Medical Tourism

Educational Conferences Chapter Events Webinar Series E-mail Newsletters

Our Key Partners: Russian American Dental Association (RADA) Russian Academic Science Association (RASA) Russian American Nurses Association (RANA) Russian American Professional Association (RAPA) Russian American Pharmasists Association (RAPhA) American Association of Russian-Speaking Attorneys (AARSA) Kaplan Medical

Contact us today! Website: www.russiandoctors.org Phone: 216 288-6451 440 321-2311 E-mail: [email protected]

2013 RAMA Journal Call for Abstracts Dear Colleagues, We are closing abstract submission for the next issue of the RAMA Journal. Abstract submission deadline: March 31, 2013. Any abstracts received after that date will be used in the RAMA e-mail communication distributed to the audience of 8000 professionals. To ensure that the abstract receives proper consideration, please make sure that the abstract is submitted to the appropriate category: Clinical Science; Dentistry; Public Health; Basic Science; Nursing; Appropriate health allied fields. Editorial language assistance will be available for additional cost of $25/abstract. Please, send the abstract as an attached Microsoft Word file. Authors’ photo must accompany submission. All photos MUST be a separate JPEG file with resolution at least 300 dpi to [email protected] and [email protected] According to the Copyright Act of 1976, all abstracts must be accompanied by the Copyright Transfer and Author Declaration Statement. The Copyright Statement is available online: www.russiandoctors.org/journal/ copyright.pdf All authors must sign this statement and send or fax to: Russian American Medical Association Inc. 36100 Euclid Avenue, Suite 330-B Willoughby, OH 44094 USA FAX: (+1) 440-953-0242 *Do not send abstracts to this address, the fax is for copyright transmission only. The previous issues of the RAMA Journal are available online: www.russiandoctors.org/journal/index.shtml The next issue of RAMA Journal will be published online by October 31, 2013. For more information please contact Dr. Bart Perlman - RAMA Journal Editor-in-Chief, at [email protected] and visit www.russiandoctors.org/forum/showthread.php?t=8196&highlight=call+abstracts

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RAMA Report RAMA Report Editorial Board Bart Perlman, PhD - Editor-in-Chief Igor Efimov, PhD Yakov Elgudin, MD, PhD

RAMA Report is published every three months and is distributed via e-mail. To submit articles or to be removed from the RAMA mailing list, please e-mail [email protected]

Konstantin Slavin, MD Vladimir Shiltsev, PhD Rada Sumareva, DDS Boris Vinogradsky, MD

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RAMA REPORT December 2012

Olga Osipoff, MBA

Russian American Medical Association 36100 Euclid Avenue, Suite 330-B Willoughby, OH 44094 USA Tel: 440-321-2311 Tel/Fax: 330-348-0295 Web: www.russiandoctors.org For advertising opportunities and rates, please contact: Olga Osipoff, MBA at [email protected]

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