At HFA, we believe that if we cultivate a new generation of wellness-driven healthcare leaders who are deeply connected to their communities and adept in change management, then we will achieve system-wide healthcare transformation in Armenia because they will foster a culture of proactive health management across the nation.
The HFA model for the training and development of leaders in healthcare identifies the following main pillars for its Healthcare Leaders: leadership, community engagement, quality and research training, and medical knowledge and skills (the medical knowledge and skills pillar will be delivered by our strategic partners at the HENAR Foundation). The Program starts with an intensive bootcamp (the Healthcare Academy), which lays the foundations for all four pillars. The four pillars then continue to be taught in an integrated manner throughout the Program, culminating in the presentation of a capstone project. Monitoring and Evaluation (M&E) is a fundamental component of the overall program, with M&E pertaining to the effectiveness of the Program itself, as well as integrated into each pillar.
The end of the fellowship, however, does not signal the end of learning. Graduated Healthcare Leaders enter a network of alumni, who continue to learn with and from each other. As Alumni, they will be prepared to care for the evolving primary care needs of patients in rural Armenia as transformational providers and community champions who possess the following skills:
We strive to improve healthcare access in underserved communities, with a focus on preventive care and medical assistance.
Health For Armenia understands that a strong rural physician must also be a servant leader, committed to elevating the well-being of their community by placing others’ needs first. A physician-leader serves at multiple levels: leading clinical teams, spearheading community engagement projects, advocating for better health outcomes, and shaping healthcare strategy. Through servant leadership, doctor-leaders prioritize listening to, empowering, and involving community members to co-create solutions. Armenia needs doctor-leaders with both hands-on clinical experience and an understanding of healthcare systems to manage clinics, partner effectively with non-governmental organizations, and contribute to governmental healthcare strategies at regional and national levels.
Engaging local communities as primary stakeholders is essential to achieving meaningful health outcomes. Our doctor-leaders work closely with residents to understand their health beliefs, cultural practices, and unique needs. By fostering trust and collaboration, they co-design health initiatives that resonate with local values and goals, ensuring that changes are sustainable and community-led. Doctor-leaders also serve as advocates and educators, building partnerships with local leaders and organizations to create a shared vision for improved health in their regions.
To be agents of healthcare improvement, doctor-leaders must be skilled in quality improvement and research methodologies. The Program trains participants in assessing healthcare practices, identifying areas for improvement, and implementing small-scale changes that can be scaled up. Doctor-leaders gain practical skills in data collection, analysis, and reporting to inform evidence-based decisions and measure the impact of their initiatives. This emphasis on quality and research prepares them to drive larger-scale healthcare reforms and optimize patient care systems within their communities.
The medical knowledge and skills pillar will start during the Healthcare Academy and is delivered by our strategic partners at the HENAR Foundation. This training includes skills related to taking a medical history, physical examination, and patient-doctor communication skills, alongside foundational principles of clinical practice, data literacy, use of literature and evidence-based medicine. Doctor-leaders also study the social determinants of health, mental health considerations, and effective management of both acute and chronic conditions, whether related to chronic disease (e.g. asthma, diabetes, cardiac disease) or trauma (e.g. from falls, motor vehicle accidents, war). The teaching utilizes multiple modalities, implementing many of the tools familiar to medical providers in Europe and the United States. Educational methods include, but are not limited to:
● Didactic and interactive teaching sessions conducted by local and international specialists
● Case presentations
● Morbidity & Mortality conferences
● Topic presentations by fellows
● Preceptorship and mentorship by local and international specialists
Each Healthcare Leader researches, designs, runs, implements, and reports on a capstone project which integrates all four pillars and is the culmination of the Program. They need to use their skills and knowledge to bring together stakeholders in the community and work with them to identify areas of concern, identify one focus area, and work together to improve the community’s health. Each Healthcare Leader has a mentor who will be able to help guide them through the process.
If you are interested in joining the program find out more or contact us to receive updates.