6-7 November, 2026 · Yerevan

OBESITY4th International Interdisciplinary Conference

In collaboration with the V Dr. Raffy Hovanessian International Medical Conference

4th Obesity International Interdisciplinary Conference · In collaboration with the 5th Raffy Hovanessian Conference

4th"OBESITY" Annual Conference

2 DaySurgical and Therapeutic Specialties

37Scientific Presentations and Clinical Cases

InternationalSpeakers from Armenia and Abroad

DoubleTree by Hilton Yerevan is our official hotel partner for the event, conveniently located just a 2-minute walk from the event venue and a 5-minute walk from Republic Square.
All event participants are eligible for a special discounted rate on hotel rooms. To make a reservation, please email evnye.hotel@hilton.com with your requested stay dates and mention the promotional code OBESITY26 to benefit from the special rate.

To Reservation

Our Partner Hotel – Best Western Plus Congress Hotel Yerevan We are pleased to announce that Best Western Plus Congress Hotel Yerevan is an official partner of the 4th International Interdisciplinary Obesity Conference 2026.
Conference participants and guests can enjoy a special accommodation discount by entering the promo code OBESITY26 when making their reservation.
Conveniently located in the heart of Yerevan, the hotel is just a 5–7-minute walk from the Gabriel Sundukyan National Academic Theatre, the conference venue.
Promo Code: OBESITY26
Enjoy a comfortable stay in Yerevan and take advantage of exclusive accommodation rates offered to our conference participants.
Hotel Websit

“The 4th Obesity International Interdisciplinary Conference in collaboration with the 5th Dr. Raffy Hovanessian Conference, Yerevan, Armenia 06/11/2026 - 07/11/2026, has been accredited by the European Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (EACCME®) with 12.0 European CME credits (ECMEC®s). Each medical specialist should claim only those hours of credit that he/she actually spent in the educational activity.”

“Through an agreement between the Union Européenne des Médecins Spécialistes and the American Medical Association, physicians may convert EACCME® credits to an equivalent number of AMA PRA Category 1 CreditsTM. Information on the process to convert EACCME® credit to AMA credit can be found at https://edhub.ama-assn.org/pages/applications .

“Live educational activities, occurring outside of Canada, recognised by the UEMS-EACCME® for ECMEC®s are deemed to be Accredited Group Learning Activities (Section 1) as defined by the Maintenance of Certification Program of the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada.”

About the Conference

The treatment of obesity goes beyond the scope of a single specialty

The two-day conference brings together bariatric and metabolic surgeons, endocrinologists, pharmacists, psychologists, gastroenterologists, pediatricians, gynecologists, and specialists from related fields on a single platform.

The program is structured around not only presentations but also practical discussions, clinical cases, and multidisciplinary decision-making—covering topics ranging from surgical technologies to GLP-1 therapy, women's health, pediatric obesity, and post-bariatric care.

Bariatric surgery

Methods, complications, revision approaches, and outcomes.

GLP-1 and Pharmacotherapy

Modern pharmacological approaches and combination with surgery.

Women's and Children's Health

PCOS, pregnancy, adolescence, and childhood obesity.

Post-bariatric care

Nutrition, drug absorption, neurological and structural changes.

“MedProgress” Healthcare Foundation

Organizer Knowledge, Collaboration, and Progress for the Advancement of Healthcare
“MedProgress” Healthcare Foundation contributes to the development of Armenia’s healthcare system, the improvement of medical education, the strengthening of professional collaboration, and the promotion of evidence-based medicine.
The founder and project director of the Foundation is Tatevik Khachatryan.
“MedProgress” organizes conferences, educational programs, professional training courses, and public health initiatives, promoting knowledge exchange and the integration of modern scientific advances into clinical practice.
The History of the International Conference on Obesit
Obesity is a chronic, multifactorial disease whose prevention and treatment require interdisciplinary collaboration. In response to this need, in 2023, the “MedProgress” Foundation initiated the first multidisciplinary conference dedicated to obesity, creating an educational and scientific platform where the issue is addressed as a complex medical and public health challenge. In 2024, the Armenian Association of Minimally Invasive Surgeons (SAMIS), led by Levon Grigoryan, joined the organization and development of the conference. This collaboration contributed to strengthening the links between surgical and therapeutic specialties. In 2026, ICPD, under the leadership of Professor Ara Babloyan, also joined the initiative as a scientific partner. The Fourth International Conference on Obesity, taking place in Yerevan on November 6–7, 2026, continues this development by bringing together specialists from Armenia and abroad.
The Mission of the Conference
The mission of the conference is to promote the development of evidence-based, modern, and patient-centered approaches to the prevention, diagnosis, treatment, and long-term management of obesity in Armenia. The conference brings together specialists in endocrinology, metabolic and bariatric surgery, cardiology, gastroenterology, pediatrics, nutrition, clinical pharmacology, psychology, and other related fields. The program addresses pharmacological and surgical treatment options, the management of comorbidities, prevention, as well as the elimination of weight-related stigma and discrimination. The conference promotes the recognition of obesity as a complex chronic disease and emphasizes the need for continuous and multidisciplinary care.
Vision
The vision of “MedProgress” is to develop the conference into a leading regional scientific and educational platform, promoting the exchange of international experience, professional collaboration, and the improvement of obesity care in Armenia. Our long-term goal is to establish a sustainable collaborative environment that brings together medical associations, scientific and educational institutions, researchers, and other healthcare stakeholders. Our goal is to transform knowledge into higher-quality medical care and improved patient health.

Scientific Program

Two Days։ One complete clinical picture.

Choose a day or search by speaker, topic or organization.

International Experience

Speakers from leading medical centers

The program features specialists from Armenia, Brazil, the United Kingdom, the USA, Qatar, Georgia, Russia and the UAE.

Armen Darbinyan

Professor; Doctor of Science in Economics

More info Yerevan, Armenia

Biography of Professor Armen Darbinyan

Professor Armen Darbinyan, Dr. of Science in Economics is one of the creators of Armenian liberal economic model serving in early 1990-s as first deputy Chairman of the Central Bank, Finance Minister, Prime-Minister (1998-1999). He played a prominent role in Armenia's banking and financial systems formation, was one of the Armenian key figures in Armenia's transition strategy. Then he returned to Academic life taking position of the Chairman and Rector of Armenian-Russian University, which became one of the regional leaders of Science and Education during his notable 22-years leadership. Professor Darbinyan is the Chairman of the Armenian National Committee of the International Chamber of Commerce (ICC), member of the National Academy of Science. His public statements, interviews and professional analyses are in а great demand in Armenian professional community. Professor Darbinyan is also known as a poet, composer, and singer.

Thais Sarian, RD

Nutritionist, Center for Obesity and Diabetes, Oswaldo Cruz German Hospital Lead Nutritionist and Clinical Research Co-Investigator, Dr. Ricardo Cohen's Multidisciplinary Team; Member of Brazilian Society of Bariatric and Metabolic Surgery (SBCBM); Member of International Federation for the Surgery and Other Therapies for Obesity (IFSO)

São Paulo, Brazil

Aghavni Kolyan, PhD

Clinical psychologist specializing in weight management and eating behavior; certified Gestalt therapist, supervisor, group facilitator, and lecturer at Moscow State University of Psychology and Education (MSUPE)

Moscow, Russia

Ricardo Cohen, PhD, MD

Bariatric surgeon; Director, Center for Obesity and Diabetes, Oswaldo Cruz German Hospital; IFSO President-Elect; President, Brazilian Society for Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery (SBCBM), 2011-2012; President, IFSO Latin American Chapter, 2018-2019

São Paulo, Brazil

Tatevik Khachatryan

Director of MedProgress HealthCare Foundation

Yerevan, Armenia

Narek Varzhabedyan

Clinical Pharmacist, ClinChoice

Yerevan, Armenia

Nour El Hage Chehade, MD

Professor of Anesthesiology, Department of Anesthesiology Cleveland Clinic

USA

Yuri Yashkov, MD, PhD, DSc, Professor

Surgeon, IFSO Executive Board Member; Founder and Honorary President Society of Bariatric Surgeons of Russia (SBSR)

Moscow, Russia

Omar Ghanem, MD

Chair, Division of Metabolic and Abdominal Wall Reconstructive Surgery, Mayo Clinic

Rochester, Minnesota, USA

Koba Sakhechidze, MD, PhD

Chief, Division of Bariatric Surgery, American Hospital Tbilisi

Tbilisi, Georgia

Aleksandr Neymark, MD, DSc, Professor

Almazov National Medical Research Centre

Saint Petersburg, Russia

Davit Sargsyan, MD, PhD, FEBS,FACS, FASMBS

Senior Consultant in Bariatric and Metabolic Surgery, Qatar Metabolic Institute; Clinical Instructor in Surgery, Weill Cornell Medical College-Qatar; Expert in Bariatric and Metabolic Surgery, Qatar Ministry of Public Health

Doha, Qatar

Haris Khwaja, DPhil (Oxon), FRCS

Co-founder, International Bariatric Club; Consultant Upper GI/ Bariatric Surgeon & Honorary Senior Lecturer Chelsea and Westminster Hospital & Imperial College

London, United Kingdom

Samvel Zakaryan, MD, PhD

Surgeon; Head, Department of General and Endoscopic Surgery No. 2

Yerevan, Armenia

Suren Stepanyan, MD, PhD, Professor

Head of Department of Abdominal Surgery of YSMU; Head of Clinic of Surgery of Mikaelyan University Hospital

Yerevan, Armenia

Gayane Hovhannisyan, MD

Intensivist, Izmirlian Medical Center

Yerevan, Armenia

Grigor Papoyan, MD

Head of the Department of General and Laparoscopic Surgery and Deputy Chief Doctor for Surgery in Surb Grigor Lusavorich Medical Center

Yerevan, Armenia

Levon Grigoryan, MD

President, Society of Armenian Minimally Invasive Surgeons, Head of Robotic Surgery & Endoscopy 'Slavmed Medical Center', General, Laparoscopic, and Robotic Surgeon

Yerevan, Armenia

Haykanush Hambardzumyan, MD

Endocrinologist, Founder and President of the AOP, Wigmore Hospital

Yerevan, Armenia

Lidia Ayvazyan, MD

Physician-Nutritionist; President, Armenian Association of Dietitians and Nutritionists

Yerevan, Armenia

Aram Terteryan, MD, PhD

Cardiologist; Lecturer, Department of Cardiology, Yerevan State Medical University; Head, Emergency Cardiology Service, Yerevan University Hospital No. 1

Yerevan, Armenia

Vahe Ter-Minasyan, PhD

Gynecologic Oncologist; Head, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, National Institute of Health, Ministry of Health of Armenia; Head, Surgical Gynecology Service, Armenian-American Wellness Center

Yerevan, Armenia

Norayr Ghukasyan, PhD

Obstetrician-Gynecologist; Deputy Director Maternity Hospital, Erebuni Medical Center

Yerevan, Armenia

Lyudmila Niazyan, MD

Public Health Professional, Science4Policy International Expert

Yerevan, Armenia

Caroline Apovian, MD, Professor

Co-Director, Center for Weight Management and Wellness (CWMW), Division of Endocrinology, Diabetes and Hypertension, Brigham and Women's Hospital; Professor of Medicine, Harvard Medical School

BOSTON • USA

Dr Turki Faris Al-Ahbabi

Head, Department of Obesity and Bariatric Medicine, Qatar Metabolic Institute, Hamad Medical Corporation

DOHA • QATAR

Raffi Karagozian, MD

Associate Professor of Medicine, Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Tufts University School of Medicine

Boston, USA

lhab El Tayeb, MD

Endocrinologist, PRIME Hospital

Dubai, UAE

Gayane Melikyan, MD, PhD

Senior Consultant in Neurology, Hamad Medical Corporation; Assistant Professor of Neurology, Weill Cornell Medical College-Qatar

Doha, Qatar

Susma Vaidya, MD, MPH

Clinical Associate Professor of Pediatrics, George Washington University School of Medicine and Health Sciences; Medical Director, IDEAL Clinic, Children's National Medical Center

WASHINGTON, DC • USA

Mark Kovler, MD

Division of General and Thoracic Surgery; Director, Pediatric and Adolescent Bariatric Surgery Program, Children's National Hospital, Washington, DC; Assistant Professor of Surgery and Pediatrics, George Washington University

WASHINGTON, DC • USA

Garik Arakelyan, MD

General and Pediatric Surgeon, Arabkir Medical Center

Yerevan, Armenia

Lilit Gevorgyan, MD

Dermatologist and Cosmetologist, Head of Clinical Development & Training Avanta MC; Global clinical trainer and KOL (Inmode, Alma Lasers)

Yerevan, Armenia

Raffi Gurunian, MD

Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi's Integrated Surgical Institute, Section Head of Plastic Surgery; Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery department at Cleveland Clinic

Ohio, USA

Manana Gogol, MD

General and Metabolic Surgeon Ilia State University, American Hospital

Tbilisi, Georgia

Nona Martirosyan, MD, PhD, MBA

Deputy director on therapy and chief endocrinologist at Nairi Medical Center

Yerevan, Armenia

David Abuladze, MD, Professor

Head of the Department of General and Bariatric Surgery, Innova Medical Center

Tbilisi Georgia

Venue

Sundukyan State Academic Theatre 6-7 November 2026 · Yerevan

Two conference days will take place at the same venue. Additional information about the hall, entrance and hotel offers will be published here.

Participant registration starts at 08:30-09:20 on all days.

Coffee and lunch breaks are included in the program.

The entrance map link will be activated after the organizational details are confirmed.

Yerevan, Armenia

Sundukyan State Academic Theatre 6-7 November 2026

Entrance from the park . Saryan Foyer

Organizers and Partners

The conference is built on collaboration

Organizer

Partner organization

Participation

Join the 2026 interdisciplinary discussion

The official registration link and participation terms can be connected to this page without changing the design.

Open registration form

OBESITY4th International Interdisciplinary Conference

The treatment of obesity goes beyond the scope of a single specialty

Bariatric surgery

GLP-1 and Pharmacotherapy

Women's and Children's Health

Post-bariatric care

“MedProgress” Healthcare Foundation

Two Days։ One complete clinical picture.

Speakers from leading medical centers

Armen Darbinyan

Biography of Professor Armen Darbinyan

Thais Sarian, RD

Aghavni Kolyan, PhD

Ricardo Cohen, PhD, MD

Tatevik Khachatryan

Narek Varzhabedyan

Nour El Hage Chehade, MD

Yuri Yashkov, MD, PhD, DSc, Professor

Omar Ghanem, MD

Koba Sakhechidze, MD, PhD

Aleksandr Neymark, MD, DSc, Professor

Davit Sargsyan, MD, PhD, FEBS,FACS, FASMBS

Haris Khwaja, DPhil (Oxon), FRCS

Samvel Zakaryan, MD, PhD

Suren Stepanyan, MD, PhD, Professor

Gayane Hovhannisyan, MD

Grigor Papoyan, MD

Levon Grigoryan, MD

Haykanush Hambardzumyan, MD

Lidia Ayvazyan, MD

Aram Terteryan, MD, PhD

Vahe Ter-Minasyan, PhD

Norayr Ghukasyan, PhD

Lyudmila Niazyan, MD

Caroline Apovian, MD, Professor

Dr Turki Faris Al-Ahbabi

Raffi Karagozian, MD

lhab El Tayeb, MD

Gayane Melikyan, MD, PhD

Susma Vaidya, MD, MPH

Mark Kovler, MD

Garik Arakelyan, MD

Lilit Gevorgyan, MD

Raffi Gurunian, MD

Manana Gogol, MD

Nona Martirosyan, MD, PhD, MBA

David Abuladze, MD, Professor

Sundukyan State Academic Theatre 6-7 November 2026 · Yerevan

Yerevan, Armenia

The conference is built on collaboration

Join the 2026 interdisciplinary discussion

Fill in the details to register.