The Armenian American Medical Society

President’s Message2014: A Collaboration for Health and Success

Health Festival Builds a Healthy GlendaleThe fifth annual Glendale Health

Festival was a resounding success, drawing nearly 2,000 participants to the Glendale Civic Auditorium on November 15, 2014.

This event is an opportunity for the Armenian American Medical Society (AAMS) to provide the underserved in

our community with important preventive health services and education. More than 100 healthcare professionals, including physicians representing an array of specialties, nurses, dietitians and other allied health professionals, volunteered their time in an effort to help build a healthier community.

During the health festival, the Armenian American Nursing Association processed more than 300 blood tests. The Northwest Glendale Lions Club provided over 500 eye screenings and 250 free prescription eye glasses. The AAMS Dentist volunteers and the USC School of Dentistry screened over 130 men and women for dental and oral health related issues. Over 270 free flu shots were provided by the LA County Department of Public Health. The AAMS also arranged for over 50 free PAP smear screenings in conjunction with the LA County Department of Public Health, Office of Women’s Health. In addition, the AAMS Ladies Auxiliary provided 37 vouchers for screening mammograms to eligible women in the community.

The AAMS would like to thank our local partners who have made this event possible, including Glendale Memorial Hospital and Health Center, Glendale Adventist Medical Center, USC Verdugo Hills Hospital, Northwest Glendale Lions Club, Glendale Healthy Kids, Armenian American Nurses Association, the Office of State Senator Carol Liu, Office of Supervisor Michael D. Antonovich, Los Angeles County Department of Public Health, and Glendale Community Services and Parks Department.

2014 Year in Review

On behalf of the Armenian American Medical Society, I would like to wish each of you a very happy and prosperous New Year. When I

look back over the past year, there is one word that I think sums it up perfectly: collaboration. The multitude of successes we achieved in 2014 are the direct result of AAMS members and supporters working together to further our mission.

The Glendale Health Festival united local hospitals, healthcare providers, businesses, and civic organizations to provide vital healthcare services to those in need. That same collaborative spirit is evident in all our community outreach efforts, from our community education program, Your Health, to the AAMS-sponsored health initiatives instituted in Armenia.

Our medical professionals share their knowledge and expertise with each other through our continuing medical education program. In addition, they take an active role in mentoring young Armenian students who have chosen healthcare as their field of study, fostering the next generation of our healthcare leaders.

This coming year will be a busy one. We will be commemorating the 100th anniversary of the Armenian Genocide, as well as AAMS’s 30th anniversary. The 6th annual Glendale Health Festival is already in the planning stages, and we will continue to expand our community outreach and physician educational opportunities. I look forward to working with each and everyone of you in collaboration for a successful and healthy 2015.

Serineh V. Melidonian, MDPresident, AAMS

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AAMS Scholarships Awarded to Future Healthcare Professionals

In 2014, the Armenian American Medical Society (AAMS) awarded 12 worthy students each a $1000 scholarship for the 2014 academic year to assist them in their educational endeavors. The AAMS scholarships were awarded to Armenian students enrolled in various healthcare education programs in the fifelds of medicine, dentistry, pharmacy and allied health. Recipients of the this year’s AAMS Scholarships include Arpine Barsegian, Naira

Barsegyan, Artin Galoosian, Taline Guevrekian, Kristina Hagopian, Saro Haroun, Harut Hovsepyan, Gary Kirikian, Shogher Nalbandian, Rami Nazar, Gnel Pivazyan and Lily Sarin-Gulian.

The Ananian family has graciously established a new memorial scholarship in 2014, honoring a long time AAMS member, dear friend and colleague, Dr. Vahan Ananian, whom we sadly lost last year. His widow, Anahid Ananian, presented the “Dr. Vahan Ananian Memorial Scholarship” to Lily Sarin-Gulian. Celebrating its 5th year, Ms. Hilda Boghossian presented Harut Hovsepyan with the “Dr. Norick Boghossian Memorial Scholarship.” The Friends of AAMS, previously known as the Ladies Auxiliary, presented their scholarship to Taline Guevrekian.

“Our 2014 year’s scholarship candidates were even more impressive than previous years,” said Serineh Melidonian, MD, AAMS president. “I am excited we are able to recognize the hard work and dedication of these deserving Armenian students and wish them well in their studies.”

Jack Der-Sarkissian, MDEmil Avanes, MDSilva Karchikian, MDHarmik SarianVahan Cepkinian, MDMardiros Mihranian, MDMarine Demirjian, MDArmen Hagopjanian, DPMKrikor Deramerian, MD

Armina Gharpetian, DDSKarine Gabrielian, MDArmen Choulakian, MDAnahit Hovhannisyan, PhDGor Agababian, MDAlen Voskanian, MD, FAAHPMGrigor Harutunian, MDVagharshak Pilossyan, MDHarry Balian, MD, FACC, FSCAI

Ruzanna Khachatryan, DDSManuel Momjian, MDArmond Kotikian, DDS, MD, FACS Anahit Hovhannisyan, PhDRaffi Tachdjian, MD, MPHKrikor Manoukian, MDAra Keshishian, MD, FACS, FASMBS

YourHealth

The community education program, Your Health, is an invaluable tool health education tool for our community. The Armenian American Medical Society would like to thank the following healthcare professionals who shared their expertise and knowledge for a healthier, more informed community!

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Ladies Auxiliary Springs Into Action for Easter Luncheon

11th Annual Armenian American Medical Society CME and CDE Weekend Conference

2014 Viva Las Vegas! Healthcare professionals gathered in Las Vegas, September 26 through September 28, for 11th annual Armenian American Medical Society (AAMS) continuing medical and dental education and get-away weekend. This weekend provides important professional development, along with a dash of fun.

The Armenian American Medical Society (AAMS) Ladies Auxiliary held an Easter Luncheon on Saturday, April 12, 2014, at the Universal Sheraton. The luncheon featured a talk by Leslie Korostoff, MD, and provided an opportunity for members to kick up their heels and have fun! Proceeds from the event benefifted the Glendale Healthy Women and Children’s Diabetic Camp in Armenia. During the luncheon, all past chairwomen and board members were honored.

The AAMS Ladies Auxiliary, made up of members’ spouses and female healthcare professionals, recently celebrated its 20th anniversary. The auxiliary provides volunteer services and holds fundraising activities in support of the AAMS mission and projects.

29th Annual AAMS Gala a Memorable Celebration The Armenian American Medical Society (AAMS) held

its 29th Annual Celebratory Gala on May 3, 2014. The black- tie event, held at Pasadena’s elegant Langham Huntington Hotel, featured a cocktail reception, dinner and dancing.

The evening was a celebration of the works of the AAMS, and more importantly, raised much needed funds for the organization’s local community outreach projects, such as the Glendale Health Festival and community health education initiatives. In addition, the gala event was an opportunity to publicly honor Frieda Jordan, CHS, PhD;

Vartan Tachdjian, MD; and Ara Tekian, PhD, MHPE, for their exceptional achievements in medicine and their contributions to improving healthcare around the world.

“We look forward to this event every year,” said Serineh Melidonian, MD, president of the AAMS. “Not only is it a celebration of our accomplishments, but also raises funds vital to support our outreach programs and allows us to pay tribute to those who have contributed so much to our goal of improving the health and wellbeing of the Armenian community in the Diaspora and Armenia.”

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The Armenian American Medical Society relies on the generosity of our community members in order to fulfifll its mission to help improve the health services rendered to the Armenian

community in the Diaspora and Armenia. Our membership dues only account for 22 percent of our annual budget, making your tax-deductible donations to the medical

society critical to continue our ability to participate in, and initiate, new programs and projects that would otherwise go unfunded.

Gits like yours support an array of important activities including the Women’s Clinic in Karabakh, scholarships, the AAMS Juvenile Diabetes Project and “Your Health” community education programs.

Your donation has an immediate impact on our projects and help us prepare for the challenges we face in providing the best possible support to our community locally and to our brothers and sisters in our homeland.

You can make a difference. If you would like to make a donation to the Armenian American Medical Society, please call 818-980-7777 or email info @aamsc.com.

Community Donations Plant Seeds for Global Health

Thanking Our SponsorsThe Armenian American Medical Society (AAMS) would like to thank all of our sponsors for their continued support, through sponsorship of our various programs and activities. It is their generosity, that enables us to provide these vital programs to further the mission of the AAMS.

AAMS Spreads Outreach to Nagorno-Karabakh RepublicAs part of efforts to improve healthcare across the Diaspora, Armenian American Medical Society board members met with President of Nagorno-Karabakh Republic Bako Sahakyan and Minister of Healthcare Haroutyun Koushkyan to discuss healthcare-related matters facing the nation and develop plans for stronger collaboration.

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Members of the Armenian American Medical Society enjoy networking events several times throughout the year. These gatherings provide a fantastic way to socialize with members–meeting peers, creating new opportunities, making new contacts and having fun. This past year, networking events were held on Thursday, June 19, at Rococo, in Pasadena, and Thursday, September 11, at Sofiftel, Los Angeles. Networking events are open to healthcare professionals, as well as healthcare students.

Making the Connection Through the AAMS

AAMS Fall Family Picnic& Glendale Health Festival Kickoff

The Armenian American Medical Society’s Ladies’ Auxiliary held the AAMS Fall Picnic on Sunday, October

5, 2014, at Verdugo Park. The picnic was an opportunity for AAMS members and their families to socialize and share in some family

fun. The afternoon was filled with food, entertainment and games and also served as the kickoff for the 2014 Glendale Health Festival.

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In May, 2013, George Mutafyan, MD, a general surgeon and Armenian American Medical Society member, made a solo mission to provide free healthcare

services to the medically underserved community of Gyumri, Armenia. During his nearly two-week stay, he saw more than 100 patients and performed nearly 65 surgeries at the Gyumri Medical Center, including gallbladder and hernia surgeries.

In July, 2014, Dr. Mutafyan returned to Gyumri, this time with four other physicians in tow–Simon Keushkerian, MD, general and vascular surgery; Tsovinar Tekkelian, MD, internal medicine; Leo Tumanian, MD, urology; and Emil Safif, MD, anesthesiology. The team worked tirelessly over a two-week period, providing 400 medical consultations and performing 73 procedures, mostly general and vascular surgeries. The physicians also took the opportunity to meet with government officials and fellow physicians to start a conversation on improving the region’s healthcare system.

The services provided on these missions are critical to health and wellbeing of community members, many of whom cannot afford care, and must oten make the four-hour round-trip to Yerevan, to receive care. In addition, Glendale Memorial Hospital and Health Center and Glendale Adventist Medical Center sent along 16 containers of much-needed medical supplies for the medical center.

The motivation for his medical missions is highly personal and the experience is deeply spiritual for Dr. Mutafyan, who was born and raised in Gyumri. These trips allow him to give back to the community that has given so much to him. He also hopes these missions will inspire the young people in his home town to achieve their dreams, just as his career in medicine was inspired by a visit from a well-known Armenian heart surgeon.

Dr. Mutafyan plans on continuing medical missions to Gyumri, which are currently self-funded. He wants to enlist the help of other physicians, in additional specialties, to broaden the range of services offered and is actively seeking funding to help defray the costs. Dr. Mutafyan and his fellow physicians are also using these trips as an opportunity to mentor medical students and provide additional training and support to local physicians, so that they can provide a higher level of care.

Medical Missions to Gyumri the Gift That Keeps on Giving

In 2014 AAMS was able to fulfifll its mission by providing 26 CME credits and 24 CDE credits. This year we will strive to fulfifll our mission by providing the required licensing credits during our annual local and offsite conferences as well as our monthly evening lectures. These courses cover a wide array of topics and allow physicians from a variety of fifelds to maintain their competence while educating fellow healthcare practitioners about the advances being made in their specialty. These AAMS-sponsored courses are open to members and non-members alike.

Professional Development an AAMS Priority

MEMBER’S SPOTLIGHT: Highlighting the Volunteer Efforts of AAMS Members

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AAMS News UpdateBirth Announcements

Congratulations to AAMS President Serineh Melidonian, MD, and husband Hrag. They are happy to announce the arrival of a daughter, Liana, on October 21,2014. She was 20 inches long and weighed 6 lbs 14 ounces. Little Liana joins big brother, Alec.

Drs. Garni and Evelyn Barkhoudarian and big brother Sevan, welcomed the birth of Aren Ethan Barkhoudarian, on December 20, 2014. Baby Aren weighed in at 8 lbs, 9 oz, and was 20.5 inches long. Congratulations to the Barkhoudarian family!

Practice UpdatesChristopher Kaypekian, MD, pain management specialist, announces an additional office:14500 Roscoe Blvd., Ste. 201, Panorama City, CA 91402

Dr. George Apelian is pleased to announce the opening of his new ultramodern dental office, Hilltop Dental at the Ridge in beautiful Agoura Hills, CA:30300 Agoura Rd. Ste. 230 Agoura Hills, CA 91301 (818) 865 -8651 / (805) 990-9799 | www.HilltopDentalCare.com

Professional AchievementCongratulations to Zarmine Naccashian, PhD, GNP, RN. Dr. Naccashian’s dissertation work was published in the Sept/Oct 2014 issue of The Diabetes Educator, a peer reviewed journal. The purpose of the study was to investigate the impact of diabetes self-management education

on glycemic control and perception of empowerment in Armenian American immigrants diagnosed with type 2 diabetes. Seventy-five elderly participants of Armenian descent completed the study. Post-intervention mean A1c level was significantly lower than the pre-intervention mean A1c. Post-intervention mean empowerment score was significantly greater than the pre-intervention empowerment scores. No mediating affects of age, gender, acculturation, and number of years with the disease were identified for either A1c of empowerment scores.

Help WantedA pediatric practice in Glendale, CA, is looking for a Medical Assistant (MA) who has prior experience with the pediatric population. The qualities we are looking for is someone who is hard working, organized, forward-thinking, proactive and reliable. Please email your resume to pediatricofficestaff@gmail.comemail your news to info@aamsc.com

Since September 2013, the CMA Foundation has provided over 1.4 million outreach and education contacts to health care providers in almost every county in California. Over 2,000 events, including group presentations and one-on-one practice visits have been

held throughout the state. Monthly updates and timely information have been distributed to physicians through publications, emails and faxes.

As a neutral, third party educator, this program has quickly established credibility within the physician community to provide accurate, timely information to address their immediate questions. The statewide infrastructure established by the CMA Foundation allows for flexibility in messaging that responds immediately to physician needs, also enabling concerns to be documented. As trends emerge, FAQs are generated to address clinician questions and concerns. In addition, the project allows the CMA Foundation to more effectively communicate physician concerns as they become known.

Our partners on this project include the California Medical Association (CMA) and over a dozen county

medical societies stretching from Humboldt to San Diego. Additionally, the American Academy of Pediatrics – CA (AAP-CA) and several ethnic physician organizations, including the Armenian American Medical Society (AAMS), are partnering on this project during the 2015 extension. AAMS will be offering CME courses online, and developing a television segment in the coming months. Please visit www.aamsc.com for more information.

Covered California Provider Education Project Continues in 2015

To ensure that you and your staff are up to date on the changes impacting your practice, join us for a local presentation or schedule an in-office meeting to address your specific inquiries or to ask questions. For more information, please contact the Provider Educator in your area:Northern and Central California: Contact Fonda Winslow at fwinslow@thecmafoundation.org or call 559.644.5888.

Los Angeles and San Bernardino Counties: Contact Vitelio Aguilar at vaguilar@thecmafoundation.org or call 310.715.9182.

Orange, Riverside and San Diego Counties: Contact Karli Nevarez at knevarez@thecmafoundation.org or call 310.818.6998.