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RISHI SHRIDHARAN: So we are we are live. RISHI SHRIDHARAN: This is July 14th, 2020 10 a.m. RISHI SHRIDHARAN: Central Time. RISHI SHRIDHARAN: Interviewing Dr.Zhaxybay Zhumadilov.

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RISHI SHRIDHARAN: It's a pleasure to be speaking with you today, Doctor Zhumadilov. ZHAXYBAY ZHUMADILOV: Thank you. RISHI SHRIDHARAN: Would you be willing to please walk us through your career path, starting from RISHI SHRIDHARAN: your training in medicine and extending through your current position?

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ZHAXYBAY ZHUMADILOV: Okay. ZHAXYBAY ZHUMADILOV: Right now I am over 70. ZHAXYBAY ZHUMADILOV: And the story. ZHAXYBAY ZHUMADILOV: I can tell you that.

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ZHAXYBAY ZHUMADILOV: My career path was very exciting and successful. ZHAXYBAY ZHUMADILOV: Because I have done everything I was planning ZHAXYBAY ZHUMADILOV: and have many achievements. ZHAXYBAY ZHUMADILOV: Okay, let's start from the beginning.

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RISHI SHRIDHARAN: Sounds great. ZHAXYBAY ZHUMADILOV: In just one second. ZHAXYBAY ZHUMADILOV: Okay, now I can see you. ZHAXYBAY ZHUMADILOV: Okay. And I was born in Kazakhstan, Semipalatinsk

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ZHAXYBAY ZHUMADILOV: city and grew up there. ZHAXYBAY ZHUMADILOV: Semipalatinsk city. ZHAXYBAY ZHUMADILOV: Well known because Semipalatinsk city ZHAXYBAY ZHUMADILOV: . It was nuclear weapons testing site.

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ZHAXYBAY ZHUMADILOV: It was one of the powerful nuclear weapons testing site of the former Soviet Union. ZHAXYBAY ZHUMADILOV: And. I'm still remember those was ZHAXYBAY ZHUMADILOV: trembled and atmosphere convulsed from the power of nuclear ZHAXYBAY ZHUMADILOV: explosions. Health effects of

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ZHAXYBAY ZHUMADILOV: radiation. It was, you know, kind of classified ZHAXYBAY ZHUMADILOV: information. And under control of Moscow. ZHAXYBAY ZHUMADILOV: And that's why we did not know anything about. ZHAXYBAY ZHUMADILOV: Grave consequences of nuclear weapons testing.

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ZHAXYBAY ZHUMADILOV: Before collapsing of the former Soviet Union only after ZHAXYBAY ZHUMADILOV: collapsing. We have realized from documents that it was ZHAXYBAY ZHUMADILOV: really harmful for exposed population. ZHAXYBAY ZHUMADILOV: Okay. And finally I decided to be a physician.

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ZHAXYBAY ZHUMADILOV: I graduated from medical academy Semipalatinsk State Medical ZHAXYBAY ZHUMADILOV: Academy. And received my MD degree. ZHAXYBAY ZHUMADILOV: And I was accepted to be a surgeon in General ZHAXYBAY ZHUMADILOV: City Hospital.

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ZHAXYBAY ZHUMADILOV: Okay. And the. ZHAXYBAY ZHUMADILOV: During five years I did surgery. ZHAXYBAY ZHUMADILOV: And the. ZHAXYBAY ZHUMADILOV: After five years, I decided to be trained in Moscow.

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ZHAXYBAY ZHUMADILOV: Vishnevsky Institute of Surgery. ZHAXYBAY ZHUMADILOV: Why? Because it was one of the well known prestigious ZHAXYBAY ZHUMADILOV: place related to general surgery. ZHAXYBAY ZHUMADILOV: Or the Soviet Union.

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ZHAXYBAY ZHUMADILOV: And the I was accepted for fellowship two years ZHAXYBAY ZHUMADILOV: fellowship. And during my fellowship I participated in many ZHAXYBAY ZHUMADILOV: surgical operations research programs. ZHAXYBAY ZHUMADILOV: And finally.

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ZHAXYBAY ZHUMADILOV: I decided to defend my PhD degree. ZHAXYBAY ZHUMADILOV: The Vishnevsky surgery and I did it ZHAXYBAY ZHUMADILOV: later on. I defended my Doctor ZHAXYBAY ZHUMADILOV: of Medical Science degree also and became professor of surgery.

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ZHAXYBAY ZHUMADILOV: When I came back to Kazakhstan from Moscow. ZHAXYBAY ZHUMADILOV: I was appointed to be Vice Director f ZHAXYBAY ZHUMADILOV: or clinical affairs, this important ZHAXYBAY ZHUMADILOV: state medical academy.

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ZHAXYBAY ZHUMADILOV: And the when I did surgery, I remember that it ZHAXYBAY ZHUMADILOV: was many patients from exposed ZHAXYBAY ZHUMADILOV: regions. They came with thyroid abnormalities. ZHAXYBAY ZHUMADILOV: An explanation during that time was iodine deficiency.

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ZHAXYBAY ZHUMADILOV: But we know that. ZHAXYBAY ZHUMADILOV: Iodine deficiency was not confirmed in many places. ZHAXYBAY ZHUMADILOV: That's why only after collapsing Soviet Union we have ZHAXYBAY ZHUMADILOV: realized that it's related to radiation exposure

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ZHAXYBAY ZHUMADILOV: because thyroid gland is very sensitive to radiation ZHAXYBAY ZHUMADILOV: exposure. And it should be considered ZHAXYBAY ZHUMADILOV: during radiation dosimetry research. ZHAXYBAY ZHUMADILOV: That's what we have done later on with NCI, National Cancer Institute,

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ZHAXYBAY ZHUMADILOV: United States, Bethesda. ZHAXYBAY ZHUMADILOV: And because we applied and received grant. ZHAXYBAY ZHUMADILOV: Research grant to study thyroid abnormalities ZHAXYBAY ZHUMADILOV: around nuclear weapons testing site

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ZHAXYBAY ZHUMADILOV: together with NCI National Cancer Institute. ZHAXYBAY ZHUMADILOV: And during that time I remember many delegations. ZHAXYBAY ZHUMADILOV: Visited. Kazakhstan. ZHAXYBAY ZHUMADILOV: And because it was, you know,

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ZHAXYBAY ZHUMADILOV: right after removal, let's say ZHAXYBAY ZHUMADILOV: Iron Curtain between ZHAXYBAY ZHUMADILOV: USSR and Western countries. ZHAXYBAY ZHUMADILOV: They're mainly interested in research.

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ZHAXYBAY ZHUMADILOV: It was delegation from Japan. ZHAXYBAY ZHUMADILOV: From United States as well. ZHAXYBAY ZHUMADILOV: Some of them offer humanitarian aid. ZHAXYBAY ZHUMADILOV: But they first of all, they're interested in health effects of radiation

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ZHAXYBAY ZHUMADILOV: associated with nuclear weapons testing. ZHAXYBAY ZHUMADILOV: And we explained that this is classified information. ZHAXYBAY ZHUMADILOV: It's very difficult to get exact information right. ZHAXYBAY ZHUMADILOV: Information. You know, it's during that time it was impossible.

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ZHAXYBAY ZHUMADILOV: Absolutely. That's why we have done after collapsing the former Soviet ZHAXYBAY ZHUMADILOV: Union, we have done some research. ZHAXYBAY ZHUMADILOV: By our remembrance. ZHAXYBAY ZHUMADILOV: And after that we established

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ZHAXYBAY ZHUMADILOV: collaboration. And with many institutions from ZHAXYBAY ZHUMADILOV: Japan, from United States. ZHAXYBAY ZHUMADILOV: And including Baylor College of Medicine in Houston. ZHAXYBAY ZHUMADILOV: And so on.

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ZHAXYBAY ZHUMADILOV: And the I was invited to be ZHAXYBAY ZHUMADILOV: invited professor of Hiroshima University. ZHAXYBAY ZHUMADILOV: I have done research related to cancer. ZHAXYBAY ZHUMADILOV: Solid cancer after nuclear explosions.

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ZHAXYBAY ZHUMADILOV: And also thyroid abnormalities. ZHAXYBAY ZHUMADILOV: Together with my colleagues from Hiroshima University. ZHAXYBAY ZHUMADILOV: From Nagasaki University. ZHAXYBAY ZHUMADILOV: From RF and from Tokyo University.

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ZHAXYBAY ZHUMADILOV: When I came back, I'm 78, I was ZHAXYBAY ZHUMADILOV: invited to Astana to be ZHAXYBAY ZHUMADILOV: the executive director of newly established National ZHAXYBAY ZHUMADILOV: Medical Holding.

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ZHAXYBAY ZHUMADILOV: And to be president of Astana medical University. ZHAXYBAY ZHUMADILOV: Not what I have done during 2008 2010. ZHAXYBAY ZHUMADILOV: And. 2010, I was invited ZHAXYBAY ZHUMADILOV: to Nazarbayev University, also new University.

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ZHAXYBAY ZHUMADILOV: And to establish Life Science Center considering ZHAXYBAY ZHUMADILOV: possibly my experience. ZHAXYBAY ZHUMADILOV: And my knowledge. ZHAXYBAY ZHUMADILOV: And they invited me and I was appointed.

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ZHAXYBAY ZHUMADILOV: To be director of Life Science Center. ZHAXYBAY ZHUMADILOV: Founding director. ZHAXYBAY ZHUMADILOV: And 2015. ZHAXYBAY ZHUMADILOV: I was appointed to be General director of National

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ZHAXYBAY ZHUMADILOV: Laboratory, Astana NLA. ZHAXYBAY ZHUMADILOV: And they included two centers, Life Science Center and Center of Energy ZHAXYBAY ZHUMADILOV: Research. It was in 2015 ZHAXYBAY ZHUMADILOV: and 2018.

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ZHAXYBAY ZHUMADILOV: I was appointed to be General director ZHAXYBAY ZHUMADILOV: of University Medical ZHAXYBAY ZHUMADILOV: Center. This university ZHAXYBAY ZHUMADILOV: medical center included four medical centers in Astana.

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ZHAXYBAY ZHUMADILOV: And we established good collaboration with medical ZHAXYBAY ZHUMADILOV: centers from United States. ZHAXYBAY ZHUMADILOV: From Japan. ZHAXYBAY ZHUMADILOV: And from Europe.

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ZHAXYBAY ZHUMADILOV: In 2020, I decided to get back to my academic ZHAXYBAY ZHUMADILOV: activities, research activities and moved to medical ZHAXYBAY ZHUMADILOV: school to be professor. ZHAXYBAY ZHUMADILOV: And since 2020 I am professor of Medical school, Nazarbayev University.

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ZHAXYBAY ZHUMADILOV: This is just briefly about my career past. ZHAXYBAY ZHUMADILOV: If you have any questions, I am ready to answer. RISHI SHRIDHARAN: Yeah. That's wonderful. RISHI SHRIDHARAN: It sounds like through your career you've had many successes, and you've also touched

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RISHI SHRIDHARAN: upon many of the areas that we have further questions on. RISHI SHRIDHARAN: So one of the questions that we have, and this is again, in the geopolitical RISHI SHRIDHARAN: space, since you did much of your training at preeminent RISHI SHRIDHARAN: institutions in the former USSR, what was your thought process when the

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RISHI SHRIDHARAN: USSR collapsed? RISHI SHRIDHARAN: And how did you even go about figuring what to do next? ZHAXYBAY ZHUMADILOV: Okay. Interesting question. ZHAXYBAY ZHUMADILOV: And indeed it was very tough time.

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ZHAXYBAY ZHUMADILOV: And many people. ZHAXYBAY ZHUMADILOV: Disappointed. Confused. ZHAXYBAY ZHUMADILOV: And they don't know what to do. ZHAXYBAY ZHUMADILOV: Because during Soviet Union it was.

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ZHAXYBAY ZHUMADILOV: Everything was clear. ZHAXYBAY ZHUMADILOV: But this is. ZHAXYBAY ZHUMADILOV: But this time it was very difficult. ZHAXYBAY ZHUMADILOV: But I think this is.

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ZHAXYBAY ZHUMADILOV: What we established. ZHAXYBAY ZHUMADILOV: I told you about collaboration with medical centers, research centers, ZHAXYBAY ZHUMADILOV: United States, NCI Japan ZHAXYBAY ZHUMADILOV: also, and our partners, research partners, medical

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ZHAXYBAY ZHUMADILOV: partners. They help us to make right decision. ZHAXYBAY ZHUMADILOV: That's why I was so process was quite productive, quite ZHAXYBAY ZHUMADILOV: clear. And we did right things. ZHAXYBAY ZHUMADILOV: Thanks first of all to this partnership and thanks for the

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ZHAXYBAY ZHUMADILOV: fruitful collaboration of. ZHAXYBAY ZHUMADILOV: With our partners from United States of Europe and from Japan. ZHAXYBAY ZHUMADILOV: Is it okay? RISHI SHRIDHARAN: Yeah. That's wonderful.

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RISHI SHRIDHARAN: That's a fantastic strategy. RISHI SHRIDHARAN: So this is shifting gears just a little bit. RISHI SHRIDHARAN: The next question pertains to something Doctor Weinberg was mentioning to me in RISHI SHRIDHARAN: conversation, which is an anecdote when Doctor Boris Gusev

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RISHI SHRIDHARAN: drew back a curtain and showcased rows of records that were maintained RISHI SHRIDHARAN: independently of Moscow about, of course, radiation effects. RISHI SHRIDHARAN: And I was curious if you might speak a little to this maintenance of these records, RISHI SHRIDHARAN: and perhaps the way Doctor Gusev handled it, the challenge of maintaining this kind of

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RISHI SHRIDHARAN: record and secrecy. RISHI SHRIDHARAN: And what came of this? ZHAXYBAY ZHUMADILOV: Okay. I no more exclusive. ZHAXYBAY ZHUMADILOV: He's very nice man and well known expert in radiation

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ZHAXYBAY ZHUMADILOV: field. And we have done some research together with Boris Gusev. ZHAXYBAY ZHUMADILOV: And but to be honest with you, I don't know about ZHAXYBAY ZHUMADILOV: records. I mean, I can tell you that I have seen this. ZHAXYBAY ZHUMADILOV: Maybe it was existing, but, you know, I

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ZHAXYBAY ZHUMADILOV: was medical doctor. ZHAXYBAY ZHUMADILOV: I was not, you know, expert in this field. ZHAXYBAY ZHUMADILOV: That's why maybe they didn't tell us. ZHAXYBAY ZHUMADILOV: But anyway, regarding anecdotes, I was so busy.

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ZHAXYBAY ZHUMADILOV: And plus, I'm not so good in anecdotes to tell. ZHAXYBAY ZHUMADILOV: I prefer to hear. RISHI SHRIDHARAN: That's very fair and also very telling that as a physician, you are not RISHI SHRIDHARAN: given access to this information.

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ZHAXYBAY ZHUMADILOV: Yes. RISHI SHRIDHARAN: So following up on this actually, and drawing connections back to some RISHI SHRIDHARAN: of the things you mentioned in your bio, how has your research involved RISHI SHRIDHARAN: the semi nuclear testing site, radiation effects?

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RISHI SHRIDHARAN: What kinds of collaborations have you participated in regarding these RISHI SHRIDHARAN: effects and what have you found? ZHAXYBAY ZHUMADILOV: As I told you. ZHAXYBAY ZHUMADILOV: We established, We established, first of all, good research.

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ZHAXYBAY ZHUMADILOV: Collaboration with Japanese Medical University ZHAXYBAY ZHUMADILOV: with Japanese universities. ZHAXYBAY ZHUMADILOV: And also from United States. ZHAXYBAY ZHUMADILOV: And first of all, NCI.

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ZHAXYBAY ZHUMADILOV: and why we decided to to involve NCI, ZHAXYBAY ZHUMADILOV: and I was in touch with Co-pi because I was co-pi from ZHAXYBAY ZHUMADILOV: Kazakhstan's side, from American side and from NCI, ZHAXYBAY ZHUMADILOV: he was co-pi.

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ZHAXYBAY ZHUMADILOV: And because. ZHAXYBAY ZHUMADILOV: Radiation dosimetry. ZHAXYBAY ZHUMADILOV: This is a very tough issue in ZHAXYBAY ZHUMADILOV: radiation biology and radiation physics.

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ZHAXYBAY ZHUMADILOV: That's why. We invited ZHAXYBAY ZHUMADILOV: the leading experts from Europe. ZHAXYBAY ZHUMADILOV: From Japan. ZHAXYBAY ZHUMADILOV: From United States.

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ZHAXYBAY ZHUMADILOV: The organization organized several conferences. ZHAXYBAY ZHUMADILOV: Symposiums to discuss all details. ZHAXYBAY ZHUMADILOV: Because. Usually people speaking that okay, if ZHAXYBAY ZHUMADILOV: something happened.

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ZHAXYBAY ZHUMADILOV: This is related to radiation. ZHAXYBAY ZHUMADILOV: But it's not true. ZHAXYBAY ZHUMADILOV: Always. Sometimes. ZHAXYBAY ZHUMADILOV: Yes. For example, thyroid disease.

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ZHAXYBAY ZHUMADILOV: Cancer. Cardiovascular disease. ZHAXYBAY ZHUMADILOV: But some other diseases say it's not related to ZHAXYBAY ZHUMADILOV: radiation exposure. ZHAXYBAY ZHUMADILOV: And this issue should be clarified, should be addressed and clarified.

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ZHAXYBAY ZHUMADILOV: That's what we have done together with NCI. ZHAXYBAY ZHUMADILOV: And we have good publication together with Charles Land. ZHAXYBAY ZHUMADILOV: And we clarified many things and this dosimetry data. ZHAXYBAY ZHUMADILOV: Was used afterwards by all researchers from Europe,

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ZHAXYBAY ZHUMADILOV: from Japan, from Russia also. ZHAXYBAY ZHUMADILOV: Because it was. ZHAXYBAY ZHUMADILOV: Very good research. RISHI SHRIDHARAN: I'm also curious whether there is any kind of archive, library or

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RISHI SHRIDHARAN: museum that allows access to the records of the nuclear RISHI SHRIDHARAN: testing site. ZHAXYBAY ZHUMADILOV: Okay. Indeed there is. ZHAXYBAY ZHUMADILOV: Archives. And the

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ZHAXYBAY ZHUMADILOV: library. ZHAXYBAY ZHUMADILOV: Yes, we have it. ZHAXYBAY ZHUMADILOV: But problem is that they don't need any records from related to ZHAXYBAY ZHUMADILOV: nuclear weapons testing sites.

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ZHAXYBAY ZHUMADILOV: That's a problem because all these records, as I told you, ZHAXYBAY ZHUMADILOV: you can find only in Moscow, in military department. ZHAXYBAY ZHUMADILOV: That's why, you know. ZHAXYBAY ZHUMADILOV: I can tell you that we have everything in our

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ZHAXYBAY ZHUMADILOV: archives. Okay. RISHI SHRIDHARAN: Yes, this is very telling. RISHI SHRIDHARAN: And jumping back a little bit more. RISHI SHRIDHARAN: The next question that we had pertained to the Houston Semi partnership,

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RISHI SHRIDHARAN: which happened in the 1990s. RISHI SHRIDHARAN: And you mentioned also in our prior conversations how Doctor RISHI SHRIDHARAN: Weinberg's support in this initiative was very important to you. RISHI SHRIDHARAN: And I was curious how the partnership provided new opportunities for

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RISHI SHRIDHARAN: you. ZHAXYBAY ZHUMADILOV: If you want to collaborate with if you want your collaboration to be very ZHAXYBAY ZHUMADILOV: productive. You should know first of all. ZHAXYBAY ZHUMADILOV: System American system.

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ZHAXYBAY ZHUMADILOV: American health care operations. ZHAXYBAY ZHUMADILOV: Because in 1990s we didn't know anything. ZHAXYBAY ZHUMADILOV: And in this case, as I told you, Armin Weinberg, he was very helpful for ZHAXYBAY ZHUMADILOV: us. He provided necessary information explained

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ZHAXYBAY ZHUMADILOV: as. And plus during my summit ZHAXYBAY ZHUMADILOV: this training. ZHAXYBAY ZHUMADILOV: I met with Leadership of Methodist Hospital, for ZHAXYBAY ZHUMADILOV: example. Larry Mathis.

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ZHAXYBAY ZHUMADILOV: During that time he was president. ZHAXYBAY ZHUMADILOV: Randy Wright. And I'm also from Baylor. ZHAXYBAY ZHUMADILOV: I met with Michael DeBakey. ZHAXYBAY ZHUMADILOV: Really legendary physician and surgeon.

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ZHAXYBAY ZHUMADILOV: And very nice man. ZHAXYBAY ZHUMADILOV: And the. ZHAXYBAY ZHUMADILOV: I discussed with all these people or many issues related to ZHAXYBAY ZHUMADILOV: healthcare, American healthcare operations.

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ZHAXYBAY ZHUMADILOV: You know, regarding strategic planning. ZHAXYBAY ZHUMADILOV: And all these kind of things. ZHAXYBAY ZHUMADILOV: And they explained me and it was very helpful. ZHAXYBAY ZHUMADILOV: That's why when I was in charge of University Medical

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ZHAXYBAY ZHUMADILOV: Center in Astana. ZHAXYBAY ZHUMADILOV: This knowledge was very helpful, very useful for me as well. RISHI SHRIDHARAN: Now, do you have perhaps any anecdotes that you might be able to share that speak to this RISHI SHRIDHARAN: point specific to the Sabbath fellowship that you received when you had the chance to

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RISHI SHRIDHARAN: interact with these folks? ZHAXYBAY ZHUMADILOV: No. As I told you, I'm not so good at anecdotes. ZHAXYBAY ZHUMADILOV: I prefer to hear. RISHI SHRIDHARAN: That's fair, that's fair.

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RISHI SHRIDHARAN: So one of the other points that Doctor Weinberg mentioned was that you jointly RISHI SHRIDHARAN: agreed that one of the priorities was training physicians and nurses RISHI SHRIDHARAN: in order to contribute to the local health care system. RISHI SHRIDHARAN: And I was curious, how did you arrive at this priority, and how did exposure to the

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RISHI SHRIDHARAN: US health care system help with this decision? ZHAXYBAY ZHUMADILOV: Because one Doctor Weinberg, and his team the first time visited ZHAXYBAY ZHUMADILOV: Kazakhstan. And we arrange meeting with our physicians ZHAXYBAY ZHUMADILOV: without nurses.

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ZHAXYBAY ZHUMADILOV: And he was asking questions related to what? ZHAXYBAY ZHUMADILOV: What you're doing. ZHAXYBAY ZHUMADILOV: What kind of procedure and all this stuff. ZHAXYBAY ZHUMADILOV: And problem was that.

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ZHAXYBAY ZHUMADILOV: Finally he realized. ZHAXYBAY ZHUMADILOV: The Soviet system is quite different. ZHAXYBAY ZHUMADILOV: Okay. And. ZHAXYBAY ZHUMADILOV: the people should know American system.

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ZHAXYBAY ZHUMADILOV: Should know that this system beneficial. ZHAXYBAY ZHUMADILOV: Okay. And they should it should be included in ZHAXYBAY ZHUMADILOV: their strategic plan. ZHAXYBAY ZHUMADILOV: Only in this case we can get some productive results

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ZHAXYBAY ZHUMADILOV: from this collaboration, from this partnership. RISHI SHRIDHARAN: Yeah, that's entirely fair. RISHI SHRIDHARAN: Now shifting gears just a little bit. RISHI SHRIDHARAN: You have a command over speaking English, which I'm not sure

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RISHI SHRIDHARAN: how common was at the time or the place. RISHI SHRIDHARAN: So I'm curious how your knowledge of English changed the opportunities available to you RISHI SHRIDHARAN: during your career. ZHAXYBAY ZHUMADILOV: You know, to know English.

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ZHAXYBAY ZHUMADILOV: I cannot tell you that this is related to your career can change your career ZHAXYBAY ZHUMADILOV: path. But. ZHAXYBAY ZHUMADILOV: This is very helpful, very useful. ZHAXYBAY ZHUMADILOV: You can read by first hand.

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ZHAXYBAY ZHUMADILOV: All documents, all articles related to health care, operations, ZHAXYBAY ZHUMADILOV: research, research priorities, clinical priorities, ZHAXYBAY ZHUMADILOV: etc. and you can explain yourself. ZHAXYBAY ZHUMADILOV: That what should be done?

00:23:56.460 - 00:24:08.130

ZHAXYBAY ZHUMADILOV: You can compare with, for example, with your system. ZHAXYBAY ZHUMADILOV: American system. ZHAXYBAY ZHUMADILOV: And you can see changes. ZHAXYBAY ZHUMADILOV: Sometimes big changes.

00:24:09.150 - 00:24:24.770

ZHAXYBAY ZHUMADILOV: Because you can realize that this is quite different system. ZHAXYBAY ZHUMADILOV: And that's why we need step by step to make some ZHAXYBAY ZHUMADILOV: changes, to be more productive. ZHAXYBAY ZHUMADILOV: And that's what we have done.

00:24:32.590 - 00:24:51.400

RISHI SHRIDHARAN: Gotcha. ZHAXYBAY ZHUMADILOV: And the I should tell you again that in this case, ZHAXYBAY ZHUMADILOV: really? Armin Weinberg, he played a pivotal role. ZHAXYBAY ZHUMADILOV: In addressing and solving many

00:24:51.400 - 00:25:05.630

ZHAXYBAY ZHUMADILOV: existing issues. ZHAXYBAY ZHUMADILOV: Related to health care operations. ZHAXYBAY ZHUMADILOV: Because he explained us. ZHAXYBAY ZHUMADILOV: Guys, please don't think that everything is excellent in

00:25:05.630 - 00:25:18.250

ZHAXYBAY ZHUMADILOV: American system. ZHAXYBAY ZHUMADILOV: We have also some problems, some questions, some issues to overcome. ZHAXYBAY ZHUMADILOV: But you have to identify. ZHAXYBAY ZHUMADILOV: You have to clarify.

00:25:18.970 - 00:25:32.440

ZHAXYBAY ZHUMADILOV: And after that you have to make attempts to overcome. ZHAXYBAY ZHUMADILOV: In this case, you can get the right way. ZHAXYBAY ZHUMADILOV: It was very good advice. ZHAXYBAY ZHUMADILOV: And that's what we have done.

00:25:32.440 - 00:25:51.170

ZHAXYBAY ZHUMADILOV: And that's why we are very grateful to Armin Weinberg. RISHI SHRIDHARAN: That's wonderful. RISHI SHRIDHARAN: The last few questions that I had for you pertained to Kazakhstan RISHI SHRIDHARAN: in general, and I was wondering if you might speak broadly to how

00:25:51.170 - 00:26:07.550

RISHI SHRIDHARAN: Kazakhstan has changed in your eyes between 1990s and the RISHI SHRIDHARAN: present day? ZHAXYBAY ZHUMADILOV: Kazakhstan changed tremendously. ZHAXYBAY ZHUMADILOV: Because now, for example, we have many.

00:26:10.050 - 00:26:26.100

ZHAXYBAY ZHUMADILOV: Medical centers will equip. ZHAXYBAY ZHUMADILOV: Well trained physicians, well trained nurses. ZHAXYBAY ZHUMADILOV: And the. ZHAXYBAY ZHUMADILOV: Also, I should tell you that, for example.

00:26:27.190 - 00:26:38.640

ZHAXYBAY ZHUMADILOV: To get some treatment. ZHAXYBAY ZHUMADILOV: Many people coming from different countries to Kazakhstan. ZHAXYBAY ZHUMADILOV: From Central Asia. ZHAXYBAY ZHUMADILOV: Well, even from Europe.

00:26:39.750 - 00:26:47.130

ZHAXYBAY ZHUMADILOV: They come in to get treatment. ZHAXYBAY ZHUMADILOV: It means they. ZHAXYBAY ZHUMADILOV: They trust us. ZHAXYBAY ZHUMADILOV: They can see results.

00:26:47.900 - 00:27:05.990

ZHAXYBAY ZHUMADILOV: That's why. Otherwise you cannot go to be operated. ZHAXYBAY ZHUMADILOV: You know, in Kazakhstan, for example, if you don't know anything about ZHAXYBAY ZHUMADILOV: surgeons, about surgery, about outcomes of health care ZHAXYBAY ZHUMADILOV: system, about complications, etc..

00:27:06.820 - 00:27:21.460

ZHAXYBAY ZHUMADILOV: That's why. Only if you are sure that everything will be ZHAXYBAY ZHUMADILOV: okay. You will come and people coming receiving good ZHAXYBAY ZHUMADILOV: service and. ZHAXYBAY ZHUMADILOV: Coming back home.

00:27:22.930 - 00:27:44.770

ZHAXYBAY ZHUMADILOV: With good health. RISHI SHRIDHARAN: So one of the other trends during this time, in my understanding, was that there's an RISHI SHRIDHARAN: emergence of a common Kazakh language and a push for national unity. RISHI SHRIDHARAN: So I'm curious because Doctor Weinberg spoke a little bit to his

00:27:44.800 - 00:27:58.350

RISHI SHRIDHARAN: experience when there were divisions between ethnic groups in the RISHI SHRIDHARAN: population. Do you see similar kinds of divisions in the present? ZHAXYBAY ZHUMADILOV: You know. Yes. ZHAXYBAY ZHUMADILOV: Doctor Weinberg.

00:27:58.590 - 00:28:16.350

ZHAXYBAY ZHUMADILOV: Right. It was some issue during former Soviet Union ZHAXYBAY ZHUMADILOV: time. But now. ZHAXYBAY ZHUMADILOV: I cannot see any problems, any issues related to ZHAXYBAY ZHUMADILOV: this. That's why I think people now are

00:28:16.380 - 00:28:28.860

ZHAXYBAY ZHUMADILOV: more open in country. ZHAXYBAY ZHUMADILOV: Kazakhstan is more open, integrated into international community, ZHAXYBAY ZHUMADILOV: let's say, of western, Western countries. ZHAXYBAY ZHUMADILOV: And the.

00:28:29.790 - 00:28:42.350

ZHAXYBAY ZHUMADILOV: That's why. People understanding that ZHAXYBAY ZHUMADILOV: if you know, know if you know. ZHAXYBAY ZHUMADILOV: Language. For example, it doesn't matter. ZHAXYBAY ZHUMADILOV: Kazakh language.

00:28:42.530 - 00:28:55.490

ZHAXYBAY ZHUMADILOV: English. Or German. ZHAXYBAY ZHUMADILOV: This is. Anyway, this is very good because you can get some additional ZHAXYBAY ZHUMADILOV: information. From. ZHAXYBAY ZHUMADILOV: Different sources.

00:28:56.970 - 00:29:13.250

ZHAXYBAY ZHUMADILOV: It's very it's it's very important to to know several ZHAXYBAY ZHUMADILOV: languages. That's what our priority now ZHAXYBAY ZHUMADILOV: and that's why. ZHAXYBAY ZHUMADILOV: This is. Relationship between ethnic group.

00:29:13.920 - 00:29:32.080

ZHAXYBAY ZHUMADILOV: Becoming less problem. RISHI SHRIDHARAN: That's terrific. That's really terrific. RISHI SHRIDHARAN: Now, the other thing that, of course, Doctor Weinberg has spent a lot of his career on RISHI SHRIDHARAN: is disparities in health care outcomes.

00:29:32.170 - 00:29:48.450

RISHI SHRIDHARAN: And I'm curious if you've noted any change in how health disparity RISHI SHRIDHARAN: is discussed between 30 years ago and the present. ZHAXYBAY ZHUMADILOV: 30 years ago. It was kind of fighting business. ZHAXYBAY ZHUMADILOV: Just discussion.

00:29:49.560 - 00:30:06.480

ZHAXYBAY ZHUMADILOV: And. But now I should tell you. ZHAXYBAY ZHUMADILOV: That now picture is quite different. ZHAXYBAY ZHUMADILOV: Now we can see more thoughtful discussions. ZHAXYBAY ZHUMADILOV: More productive discussions.

00:30:07.230 - 00:30:23.450

ZHAXYBAY ZHUMADILOV: And and the people more supportive ZHAXYBAY ZHUMADILOV: for outcomes. ZHAXYBAY ZHUMADILOV: For recommendations. ZHAXYBAY ZHUMADILOV: What is this? That's why it's I think we can see,

00:30:24.110 - 00:30:38.450

ZHAXYBAY ZHUMADILOV: you know, good changes, good trend in this issue as well. RISHI SHRIDHARAN: That's really quite wonderful. ZHAXYBAY ZHUMADILOV: And I can tell you a little bit about Nazarbayev University. ZHAXYBAY ZHUMADILOV: Do you have time?

00:30:38.630 - 00:30:54.620

RISHI SHRIDHARAN: Please. Yeah, that would be great. ZHAXYBAY ZHUMADILOV: You know. ZHAXYBAY ZHUMADILOV: What we have done during partnership Houston Semi partnership ZHAXYBAY ZHUMADILOV: and collaboration with NCI and also during that time we

00:30:54.620 - 00:31:09.520

ZHAXYBAY ZHUMADILOV: suggested that it should be. ZHAXYBAY ZHUMADILOV: First of all, should provide training for physicians, for nurses. ZHAXYBAY ZHUMADILOV: And to make infrastructure which to ZHAXYBAY ZHUMADILOV: make strategic plan.

00:31:10.280 - 00:31:26.780

ZHAXYBAY ZHUMADILOV: And to see that it should be implemented. ZHAXYBAY ZHUMADILOV: And all these kind of things. ZHAXYBAY ZHUMADILOV: Now implemented in Kazakhstan and example is Nazarbayev ZHAXYBAY ZHUMADILOV: University. Nazarbayev university.

00:31:26.780 - 00:31:42.550

ZHAXYBAY ZHUMADILOV: I can tell you that president of Nazarbayev University. ZHAXYBAY ZHUMADILOV: Shigekatsu sensei. ZHAXYBAY ZHUMADILOV: He is from Japan. ZHAXYBAY ZHUMADILOV: Tokyo. Provost of Nazarbayev University

00:31:43.090 - 00:31:57.250

ZHAXYBAY ZHUMADILOV: from United States. ZHAXYBAY ZHUMADILOV: Ilisan Adesida, by the way, from Houston. ZHAXYBAY ZHUMADILOV: If you can meet him. ZHAXYBAY ZHUMADILOV: And the faculty members, mainly from Europe, from the

00:31:57.250 - 00:32:12.800

ZHAXYBAY ZHUMADILOV: United States. ZHAXYBAY ZHUMADILOV: From Japan. ZHAXYBAY ZHUMADILOV: And from other leading countries. ZHAXYBAY ZHUMADILOV: This is really international university

00:32:13.310 - 00:32:31.740

ZHAXYBAY ZHUMADILOV: and. We now publishing ZHAXYBAY ZHUMADILOV: our papers in prestigious journals with high impact factors. ZHAXYBAY ZHUMADILOV: And, ZHAXYBAY ZHUMADILOV: our students.

00:32:32.530 - 00:32:46.780

ZHAXYBAY ZHUMADILOV: Now. We can meet in United States, for example, ZHAXYBAY ZHUMADILOV: and Europe. ZHAXYBAY ZHUMADILOV: But mainly they love United States, mainly moving to United States. ZHAXYBAY ZHUMADILOV: I mean graduates.

00:32:49.130 - 00:32:59.360

ZHAXYBAY ZHUMADILOV: And because you can find out jobs. ZHAXYBAY ZHUMADILOV: It's much easier for them. ZHAXYBAY ZHUMADILOV: They can speak English. ZHAXYBAY ZHUMADILOV: They have good knowledge.

00:33:00.800 - 00:33:15.620

ZHAXYBAY ZHUMADILOV: Related to healthcare system. ZHAXYBAY ZHUMADILOV: Related to biomedical research. ZHAXYBAY ZHUMADILOV: That's why. Only in this case. ZHAXYBAY ZHUMADILOV: I mean, they can be accepted by American universities.

00:33:20.850 - 00:33:39.300

ZHAXYBAY ZHUMADILOV: And. As I told you, example is Nazarbayev University ZHAXYBAY ZHUMADILOV: and. This kind of ZHAXYBAY ZHUMADILOV: things making ZHAXYBAY ZHUMADILOV: Kazakhstan more integrated, as I told you in international

00:33:39.900 - 00:34:00.250

ZHAXYBAY ZHUMADILOV: community. And. ZHAXYBAY ZHUMADILOV: Because we have now many changes, trends in our ZHAXYBAY ZHUMADILOV: system, health care system. ZHAXYBAY ZHUMADILOV: And it was.

00:34:00.730 - 00:34:16.310

ZHAXYBAY ZHUMADILOV: It's accepted and supported. ZHAXYBAY ZHUMADILOV: I mean, experts and people were very supportive for these changes. ZHAXYBAY ZHUMADILOV: Sorry. I don't feel so very good today. ZHAXYBAY ZHUMADILOV: Something.

00:34:18.050 - 00:34:29.510

RISHI SHRIDHARAN: No worry. This was fantastic. ZHAXYBAY ZHUMADILOV: Is clear? RISHI SHRIDHARAN: Yeah, it's very clear. RISHI SHRIDHARAN: And it sounds like the concept and the operation of such an international

00:34:29.510 - 00:34:48.860

RISHI SHRIDHARAN: university is a huge plus for Kazakhstan and medical RISHI SHRIDHARAN: education. ZHAXYBAY ZHUMADILOV: Because many students from India. ZHAXYBAY ZHUMADILOV: They trying to study in Russian and in English as well.

00:34:50.810 - 00:35:03.990

ZHAXYBAY ZHUMADILOV: I mean medicene. RISHI SHRIDHARAN: That's fascinating. RISHI SHRIDHARAN: So even the students are not only from Kazakhstan. ZHAXYBAY ZHUMADILOV: Not only from Kazakhstan, from all over the world.

00:35:05.180 - 00:35:14.920

RISHI SHRIDHARAN: That's wonderful. ZHAXYBAY ZHUMADILOV: Including including Europe. ZHAXYBAY ZHUMADILOV: Including. Japan, including United ZHAXYBAY ZHUMADILOV: States.

00:35:22.230 - 00:35:35.960

RISHI SHRIDHARAN: Well, that was great. RISHI SHRIDHARAN: So that that's the end of the questions that I had to ask you. RISHI SHRIDHARAN: But is there anything else that I didn't ask you that you'd like to share so that we can RISHI SHRIDHARAN: preserve it on the archive and the record?

00:35:39.220 - 00:35:56.500

ZHAXYBAY ZHUMADILOV: Okay. Honestly, I can talk a lot, ZHAXYBAY ZHUMADILOV: but maybe for this time. ZHAXYBAY ZHUMADILOV: Because I was last last week was very busy. ZHAXYBAY ZHUMADILOV: And maybe we can.

00:35:57.960 - 00:36:09.640

ZHAXYBAY ZHUMADILOV: I leave something for next zoom meeting? RISHI SHRIDHARAN: That sounds great. RISHI SHRIDHARAN: But thank you so much. ZHAXYBAY ZHUMADILOV: Thank you for arranging this meeting.

00:36:10.300 - 00:36:19.670

ZHAXYBAY ZHUMADILOV: This was fun. It was. ZHAXYBAY ZHUMADILOV: It was quite informative for you? RISHI SHRIDHARAN: Most definitely. RISHI SHRIDHARAN: And you've had such a distinguished career.

00:36:19.670 - 00:36:33.890

RISHI SHRIDHARAN: And of course you are in positions of high leadership. RISHI SHRIDHARAN: So your time is very valuable. RISHI SHRIDHARAN: And so I appreciate very much you taking the time to share this RISHI SHRIDHARAN: information with not only me, but also folks who are going to be viewing this recording

00:36:33.890 - 00:36:41.200

RISHI SHRIDHARAN: in the future. ZHAXYBAY ZHUMADILOV: Okay. Okay. ZHAXYBAY ZHUMADILOV: Thank you, thank you.