22.10.10 A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed between Armenian Association of Telemedicine (AATM) and American Telemedicine Association (ATA). This cooperation agreement underscores recognition of mutual benefits to be gained through a cooperative program promoting telemedicine-related activities in Armenia, the United States of America and around the world.
The ATA is the world’s largest membership-based organization focusing exclusively on Telemedicine and Telehealth. Established in 1993 as a non-profit organization and headquartered in Washington, DC, ATA promotes professional, ethical and equitable improvement in health care delivery through the application of telecommunications technology. The association implements these objectives by: promoting telemedicine research and education; assisting in the development of telemedicine policy and standards; educating government and industry leaders about telemedicine as an essential element in the delivery of modern medical care; providing educational materials to public and professional organizations; interacting with healthcare systems world-wide; serving as a clearinghouse for telemedicine information and services; and supporting local health care system initiatives in telemedicine, especially in medically underserved areas.
In May, 2010, Armenian Association of Telemedicine (AATM) participated in ATA 2010- the 15th Annual Meeting and Exposition of the American Telemedicine Association – the world’s largest international congress and exposition in the field of Telemedicine, eHealth and Health ICT. AATM President, Dr. G. Chaltikyan, had a chance to meet with ATA’s leadership, including newly elected President, Dr. Dale Alverson, as well as other members of the Board and administration, many world renowned experts in the field. some of them with more than three decades long experience in telemedicine, US Government’s Chief Technology Officer, Mr. A. Chopra, and colleagues from all corners of the world, including Europe, Asia, Africa, and Latin America. He participated in special International Telemedicine Forum coordinated by the ATA International Special Interest Group, ATA Latin American & Caribbean Chapter (ATALACC) and ATA Pacific Islands Chapter (PICATA), where gave a brief talk presenting to ATA’s membership and international affiliates AATM’s mission and objectives, vision on promoting telemedicine and eHealth in Armenia, and ongoing and prospective activities, including the pilot telemedicine project that AATM conducted in March-June, 2010. He also gave an interview discussing the above, as well as the perspectives of cooperation between ATA and AATM (available here). Communication with the leadership and office of ATA that started during the meeting continued thereafter and ultimately resulted in the two associations’ mutual official recognition through the Memorandum of Understanding.
The Memorandum aiming “to undertake specific joint initiatives that build towards a strategic alliance between the ATA and AATM that will coordinate the efforts of the organizations so as to advance the benefits,
practice and value of telemedicine”, describes multiple areas of possible collaboration between the two organizations, including organization of joint initiatives in the area of Telemedicine and eHealth, cross-promotion of, and active participation in each other’s conferences and other events, conduct of joint scientific activities, exchange of publications and other materials of common interest, and others. This important agreement is deemed to lead to broadening of membership contacts, satisfaction, service and retention for each organization, and will undoubtedly provide sound basis for further expansion of AATM’s international connections, and contribute to the growing recognition of AATM as the leading organization in Armenia promoting developments in the field.
Read the MoU_between_ATA_and_AATM.pdf
