The award, an initiative submitted by Senator Dr. Maria Laura Leguizamon, is awarded since 2004 to those who improve the quality of life of the community through cultural, athletic, professional and academic work, and is the highest distinction given by the Argentinean Senate. The former President of Argentina Carlos Saul Menem attended the event.
Dr. Stamboulian graduated with honors from the University of Buenos Aires in 1962. He was a pioneer in installing the Infectious Diseases section in hospitals of Argentina, and he also was one of the founders of the Argentina Society of Infectious Diseases and the Pan American Association for Infectious Diseases. He created the Foundation Center of Infectious Diseases Studies (FUNCEI) in 1987 and the Fighting Infectious Diseases in Emerging Countries (FIDEC) in 2001, a non-profit organization based in Miami that is focused on emerging markets. Dr. Stamboulian is also the director of Stamboulian Health Services and the president of Helios Health, dedicated to HIV patients.
Prensa Armenia asked Senator Leguizamon about the reasons which led her to request this distinction, and she explained that "the Senate should give a space to medicine" and stressed the importance of "the life story" of Dr. Stamboulian, who was "son of Armenian immigrants and studied in Argentina."
Throughout his life , Dr. Stamboulian worked to improve access to health care, promote vaccination and train other doctors on the diagnosis, treatment and prevention of infectious diseases. Besides his work in Argentina, he repeatedly helped to improve health in Armenia through vaccination campaigns and training of professionals in different areas and regions.
