ABA Health Committee Hosts Healthcare Seminar

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On Sunday, June 3rd, 2018, the Alliance of Bukharian Americans’ Health Committee hosted the Aspiring Healthcare Professionals Seminar at Beth Gavriel. As the Health Committee’s first official event, it was specifically geared towards pre-health students in the Bukharian community, with the goal of providing them free counseling as they pursue a career in healthcare.

To begin, ABA Executive Director Adam Suionov gave opening remarks introducing the ABA, tying in the Health Committee’s goals of fostering health awareness in the community. ABA Health Committee Co-Founder Jonathan Koptyev then showcased the event’s two panels consisting of six speakers each. Every speaker represented a different healthcare field including medicine, dentistry, optometry, pharmacy, physician assistant, and nursing. The first panel was a lineup of current graduate students, answering questions about their experiences applying to graduate school from high school or college. For instance, one of the questions they addressed was why they chose their particular healthcare field over others. In response, some panelists related personal anecdotes, while others delved into their skill sets. Through their unique approaches to the panel topics, the graduate students all portrayed to the audience how their experiences brought them to where they are today.

“I’m so glad I came to the event” said Michelle Nektalov, a junior at Benjamin N. Cardozo High School. “I originally thought I was going to pursue a career in nursing or PA, but after hearing about Israel Shimunov’s experinces at the grad students panel, I realized I am interested in dentistry
too.”

Following the graduate students’ insights was a panel of impressive healthcare professionals. Among them was Esaak Mullaev, MD, the Director of Anesthesia at LIJ-Forest Hills, Emmanuil Ilyayev, DDS, a general dentist who recently opened his first private practice, and other accomplished healthcare providers. Some of the topics they spoke about were their daily professional responsibilities and innovations in their respective specialties. Furthermore, they gave an expert analysis on several crucial drawbacks they encountered along their careers, prominent among them, wide-spread substance abuse. This topic was especially popular in the adolescent crowd, as audience members demonstrated their fervor through thoughtful follow-up questions about what they can do to help.

“I would be happy to hold a Narcan training event for the community. I carry Narcan with me at all times and I think others should, too” said Susanna Gavrilova, PharmD, as she came forward with initiative during the panel. The audience members were told that the topic would certainly be addressed in future ABA Health Committee events, as substance abuse is one of the pressing issues that the mission statement seeks to address.

As the panels wrapped up, audience members were encouraged to make connections with the panelists and others during a networking session. This was an opportunity for the participants to introduce themselves, exchange contact information, and inquire about potential shadowing opportunities.

“I was glad to see that the event was such a success” said Boris Semkhayev, ABA Health Committee Co-Founder. “We just went through the pre-health process ourselves, and now we want to share our knowledge.”

Hopefully, through events like the Aspiring Healthcare Professional Seminar, the community’s youth will feel empowered to challenge themselves and succeed in their own bright futures.

By: Jonathan Koptyev, ABA Health Committee Co-Founder