The workshop will bring together around 300 people, including representatives of the Ministry of Public Health of Uzbekistan, local breast care specialists, staff members of emergency medical services, women diagnosed with breast cancer and journalists. The gathering will discuss issues in the screening, prevention and treatment of breast cancer and learn about the activities carried out by the NBCAU from 2010 to 2012 throughout Uzbekistan.

The workshop will be followed by training sessions to be held from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. by the three visiting professionals. Professor Zelman will share his expertise in anesthesiology at the Conference Room at the Vakhidov Specialised Center for Surgery. Dr. Sener and Dr. Russel will look into and discuss specific clinical cases of Uzbek patients at the National Cancer Research Center.

The workshop organizers include the National Breast Cancer Association of Uzbekistan (NBCAU), the Women’s Council, the Vakhidov Specialised Center for Surgery, Fund Forum Representative Office in Austria, the University of Southern California and SonoSite Europe.

Vladimir Zelman (born in 1935 in Kiev, Ukraine) is Professor of Clinical Anesthesiology and Co-Chairman of the Department of Anesthesiology at the Keck School of Medicine of the University of Southern California (USC). He earned his MD at Novosibirsk Medical Institute in 1958 and his PhD from the Institute of Experimental Biology and Medicine in Novosibirsk. He relocated to the USA in 1967 after American businessman Armand Hammer invited him to become his personal doctor. An author of over 100 scientific articles and 25 chapters for books on brain science, Dr. Zelman has earned worldwide recognition for his outstanding contributions to medicine and is listed in ‘The Best Doctors in America: Pacific Region’.

Christy A. Russell (born in 1954 in Pennsylvania) is Associate Professor of Medicine at the Keck School of Medicine of USC, Director of the USC Norris Breast Center and chief of medicine at USC Norris Cancer Hospital. She is a medical oncologist specializing in breast cancer at the USC Norris Comprehensive Cancer Center. As a board certified physician in both internal medicine and medical oncology, Russell has served as chief of staff and as a member of the Norris Leadership Council. She received her medical degree from the Medical College of Pennsylvania and trained as a fellow in medical oncology and hematology at LAC+USC Medical Center.

Stephen F. Sener (born in 1950 in Chicago) is Professor of Surgery at the Keck School of Medicine at USC and chief of surgical oncology at the USC Norris Comprehensive Cancer Center and Hospital. He is a renowned breast surgeon and has published more than 80 peer-reviewed journal articles, as well as numerous books and book chapters. Dr. Sener has been a volunteer with the American Cancer Society since 1984 and served as national president in 2004-05. He earned his medical degree from Northwestern University in Chicago, where he also completed his residency. Dr. Sener went on to finish American Cancer Society clinical fellowships at Evanston Hospital and Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center.