Susanna A. Harutyunyan

Education

1979-1985 YSMU, Faculty of Pediatrics,

1985-1986 YSMU, Internship in Pediatrics, Pediatric Hospital N3

1994 Postgraduate education on Lactation Management, Wellstart International, San Diego, USA

1998 Postgraduate education on “Breastfeeding Practice and Policy”, London, Great Britain

Professional activity

1986-1987 District pediatrician, Pediatric Polyclinic N2, Gyumri

1987-1993 District pediatrician, Pediatric Polyclinic N1, Yerevan

1993-1999 Head of “Breastfeeding Consultancy and Teaching Resource Center” Republican Center of Perinatology, Obstetrics and Gynecology

1999-2002 “Family Care” NGO, healthcaare consultant

2002-2003 “Family Care” NGO, health expert

2003-2004 “Family Care” NGO, healthcare program manager

1999-2007 Senior Laboratory Assistant at the Department of Pediatrics, NIH

Since 2007 Lecturer at the Department of Pediatrics N1 of YSMU

Since 2007 Pediatrician at the Clinic of Pediatrics N2, “Muratsan” University Hospital Complex

Scientific activity

Author and co-author of a number of scientific articles

Organizational activity

Trainer on a consultancy basis for the following organizations: UNICEF, World Vision (WV), Fund for Armenian Relief (FAR), Family Care and other

Training health personnel in Maternal-Child Health Care issues at national, regional and international levels since 1996, including:

• Facilitation of the Training of Trainers on “Breastfeeding Counselling” 40-hour course (WHO, Tbilisi, Georgia, Dec. 1999)
• Facilitation of the UNICEF–ICDC Training Course on “Implementation and Monitoring the International Code of Marketing of Breastmilk Substitutes” (Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan, March 2009)
• Facilitation of the Training of Trainers on “Young Child Health and Nutrition” (21-26 July, 2014, Yerevan, Armenia)
• Facilitation of the workshop on “Implementation and Monitoring of the International Code of Marketing of Breastmilk Substitutes” (18-23 May, 2015, Chisinau, Republic of Moldova)

Organization of numerous trainings for health care providers countrywide in Armenia on primary pediatric health care issues, including infant and young child nutrition, growth monitoring and growth disorders, child development and behavior, child safety etc.

Social activity

Coordination of five national surveys (2003, 2005, 2007, 2009, 2011 and 2016) on monitoring the marketing practices of baby food companies and infant and young child nutrition practices in Armenia

Assessment of infant and young child nutrition practices in health facilities (member of BFHI Committee on Implementation Procedure and Coordinating & Awarding Committee at MOH)

Development and implementation of a new national initiative for the improvement of practices in pediatric outpatient clinics “Baby Friendly Policlinics”

Participation in drafting of the National Law on “Promotion of breastfeeding and marketing of infant food”, currently adopted by the National Assembly of the Republic of Armenia
Participation in development of the national program on “Protection, promotion and support of breastfeeding” (1994) and three “National Nutritional Strategies” (2006, 2011, 2013, 2015)

Nutrition Expert at “South Caucasus food safety and security improvement program”, OXFAM (April 2016)

Assessment of policy and programs in the Republic of Armenia regarding Infant and Young Child Feeding, completed according to the World Breastfeeding Trends Initiative (WBTi) (September, 2015)

Professional trainings

Participation in 27 international conferences, trainings and conferences

Membership

Since 1998 Founder and president of “Trust” healthcare NGO

Since 2003 Member of the “Breastfeeding Promotion Coordination Group” of the Ministry of Health of the Republic of Armenia

Since 2007 Board member of IBFAN (International Baby Feeding Association’s Network)

Since 2009 Member of GIFA (Geneva Infant Feeding Association)

Since 2011 Board member of the “Mother and Child Health Armenian Alliance”

Since 2016 Member of the Global Network for Monitoring and Support of the International Convention for the Sales of Breast Milk Substitutes and Further Corresponding Decisions

Since 2016 Member of the Public Council under the Ministry of Health of the Republic of Armenia

Awards

2013 The Powerful Advocacy Award, awarded by the Mother and Child Health Armenian Alliance

2016 PR national prize in the “Armenian PR Award” field, awarded by the Minister of Health of RA