“ The Pathway of Achieving His American Dream - Becoming an M.D.”

Senator Anthony Portantino, a member of the California Senate, has introduced a new bill. If passed, this bill will enable graduates of Yerevan State Medical University and specialists who have practiced medicine in Armenia, and who possess US citizenship or permanent residency, to work as physician assistants.

Upon successful approval, the new bill introduced in the California Senate will permit Armenian doctors residing in the United States, but educated in Armenia, to continue their careers within the US healthcare system as physician assistants. Senator Anthony Portantino considers this legislation to be an immensely significant step, particularly in light of the high demand for specialists in California's healthcare system. He notes the success of similar cooperation with Mexico and believes that this model can be effectively applied to Armenian doctors as well.

“As part of the pilot program I authored, doctors with professional training will be able to work temporarily in medical facilities in California as physician assistants. This program aims to establish a new format of cooperation with Yerevan State Medical University and to mitigate the shortage of specialists in the healthcare system to some extent,” Senator Portantino asserts to the Voice of America.

Viktor Fanarjyan, a graduate of Yerevan State Medical University, candidate of medicine and an experienced surgeon now residing in the USA for 5 years, emphasizes that the knowledge and rich work experience gained in Armenia does not provide any advantage for initiating professional activities in the United States. He believes that the program could be pivotal in addressing this issue.

Years ago, Past.am interviewed Dr. Viktor Fanarjyan in Armenia. The report prepared by our colleagues provided an opportunity to reconnect with him. When Viktor and his family moved to the United States of America, in September of 2019, he encountered familiar struggles that many immigrants face. Starting from scratch, he worked tirelessly as a gardener for long hours, at the same time reflecting on the transition from his delicate surgical procedures, that he conducted in Armenia, to demanding manual labor. Despite the challenges, he held onto his vision of a brighter future in the U.S., believing in the outcome and promise of hard work and determination. Returning home late, he found solace in his sleeping children, despite occasional tears.

"It is a heart wrenching fact that, as a doctor, I initially had to work as a gardener. However, I remained committed to my goal," reflects Viktor. "In tandem with my employment, I pursued studies at college and obtained a license enabling me to perform basic medical procedures, such as venipuncture and intramuscular injections."

Driven by his desire to contribute, Viktor transitioned to a role of facing the uncertainty of immigration amidst the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2019. Despite the risks, he volunteered tirelessly, administering tests and sacrificing personal safety for the greater good and his community. Working a full-time job, as well as nighttime study sessions, Viktor remained steadfast in his dream of becoming a nurse, showcasing his qualities of pride, honesty, generosity, and selflessness. He is truthfully altruistic.

"It posed significant health risks, but I couldn't remain passive," Viktor recounts. "All

my efforts were voluntary. Additionally, during this period, conflict erupted in Artsakh. Leveraging established connections, I extended aid to my homeland by sending essential medical supplies and equipment to Armenia. Personally, prioritizing assistance to individuals and the community held paramount importance."

After three years of diligent preparation, Viktor started to embark on his American dream by passing the nursing exam in 2023 and starting his career as a hospice nurse. Despite the emotional weight of caring for patients in their final days, he maintains a philosophical outlook, recognizing life as a journey and striving to leave behind a legacy of positivity and kindness. Currently he is continuing his education at the United States University and is determined to continue his journey as he works towards becoming a nurse practitioner in two years' time, getting closer to his final goal of becoming an M.D.