November 14, 2011
New York, NY: The Orthodox Business Association hosted a Seminar for Orthodox Christian Medical Practitioners at Synodal Headquarters

On Wednesday, November 9, with the blessing of His Eminence, Metropolitan Hilarion, First Hierarch of the Russian Orthodox Church Outside of Russia, the Orthodox Business Association hosted a seminar for Orthodox Christian medical practitioners in the main hall of the Synodal Headquarters in New York City.

Among the participants of the seminar were:

Dr. Irene Magramm, MD, PC (Ophthalmology)
Dr. Galina Glinik, MD (Trauma Surgery)
Dr. Yuri Brosgol MD (Pediatric Neurology)
Dr. Anatoly Tarasenko, MD (FAA Medical Examiner, Center Medical Director)
Dr. Khatanga Kadeishvili, MD (Infectionist)
Kristina Giyaur, Esq. (Health Care, Corporate, Business Law)
David Zhorzholiani, RN, EMR4DR (Electronic Medical Records for Doctors)
Lidia Solovieva, RN
Pavel Obolonsky (Borbas Pharmacy)
Svetlana Lemza, RN
Nadejda Brook (medical student)

The seminar opened with a greeting from His Grace, Eastern American Diocesan vicar Bishop Jerome of Manhattan. His Grace welcomed the seminar’s participants and encouraged the OBA’s initiative to organize Orthodox doctors to help those in need. His Grace thanked the seminar’s participants and wished them God’s aid and every success in their noble venture.

Representatives of the Orthodox Business Association presented project "Doctor Aybolit," which would provide free medical services by Orthodox practitioners to those who cannot afford it. As part of the Project, the Association seeks to create a referral base for Orthodox physicians who conduct their practice in accordance with Orthodox Christian beliefs. Participants discussed the details of the project and addressed certain legal aspects associated with it.

 The second part of the seminar was dedicated to forming a curriculum for future events that would deal with questions pertaining to medical ethics from an Orthodox perspective. Among the proposed topics are: surrogacy, vaccination, prenatal diagnosis, contraception, and Orthodox methods of curing alcohol and drug addictions.

In a statement published on November 10, Association president Igor K. Popov thanked the doctors who took part in the seminar and explained the gathering’s achievements.

"I was pleasantly surprised by the results of our Association’s first Seminar of Orthodox doctors and medical workers," said Popov. "The doctors not only expressed their active support for project "Doctor Aybolit," but also proposed several new directions for our joint efforts, including working to provide accreditation for doctors who come to America from Russia, Belarus, Ukraine, and so on, as well as organizing a database of Orthodox doctors. I would like to thank everyone who supported this undertaking."

For more information about the Association and Project "Doctor Aybolit," visit www.orthodoxunited.org.

Media Office of the Eastern American Diocese