YEREVAN, Armenia — The American University of Armenia (AUA) is pleased to announce that Dr. Varduhi Petrosyan, dean of the Gerald and Patricia Turpanjian College of Health Sciences (TCHS), has been appointed to the Board of Trustees of the Universal Health Insurance Fund (UHIF) of Armenia.
UHIF is a newly-established state fund that manages Armenia’s universal health insurance system, one of the country’s largest healthcare reforms. The system officially began in January 2026, following the adoption of the Law of Universal Health Insurance in 2025 and is expected to expand access to quality healthcare services to citizens across Armenia.
As a member of the UHIF Board of Trustees, Dr. Petrosyan will contribute her extensive expertise in public health, health financing, policy, and management. Her appointment reflects both her commitment to advancing healthcare in Armenia and the important role that academic institutions can play in supporting evidence-based healthcare reforms.
“The Universal Health Insurance (UHI) is a ‘dream-come-true’ program for me, as I believe health is a basic human right. It is the most important health reform in Armenia since 1991,” said Dr. Petrosyan. “I hope my expertise and years of experience in health systems can serve the purpose of continuously improving UHI’s performance to benefit the citizens and residents of Armenia.”
Under Dr. Petrosyan’s leadership, TCHS has served as a key institutional partner to the Ministry of Health during the 2026 rollout of universal health coverage. The College’s comprehensive involvement spans important strategic phases, from conducting initial Communications Diagnostics to currently evaluating its implementation through a rapid appraisal activity. As part of this broader systematic support, through the Entrepreneurs in Health program, the College has also trained quality-of-care personnel from regional healthcare facilities, provided healthcare quality management training, and offered entrepreneurship and leadership training to directors of regional medical centers, thereby assisting the Ministry of Health in implementing reforms aimed at improving healthcare quality nationwide.
Dr. Petrosyan’s appointment to the UHIF Board of Trustees further strengthens the connection between academia and national policymaking and underscores AUA’s commitment to advancing population health and contributing to the strengthening of the healthcare system in Armenia.
Founded in 1991, the American University of Armenia (AUA) is a private, independent university located in Yerevan, Armenia, affiliated with the University of California, and accredited by the WASC Senior College and University Commission (WSCUC) in the United States. AUA provides local and international students with Western-style education through top-quality undergraduate and graduate degree and certificate programs, promotes research and innovation, encourages civic engagement and community service, and fosters democratic values.