AAMSC: 23rd Annual Banquet to benefit a Mobile Diagnostic and Therapeutic Unit for Artsakh

Los Angeles, CA- Over 300 proud members and supporters of the Armenian American Medical Society of California (AAMSC) gathered on May 3, 2009 for the organization’s annual banquet. The event, held at the Beverly Hills Hotel, represented a united effort to raise funds for a much needed medical project in Artsakh.

For the past year the President of the AAMSC, Varoosh Alaverdian, has communicated with the president of Artsakh to discuss how the AAMSC can support the medical needs facing our compatriots there. The organization has decided to use the proceeds of this year’s banquet to purchase a Mobile Diagnostic and Therapeutic Unit.

“Some villagers in remote areas of Artsakh have a very hard time coming to a health clinic in Stepanakert during the winter time. We came to the conclusion that what Artsakh really needs is a mobile unit that physicians and nurses can use to reach mountainous areas. They can make diagnostics and treat the sick on site rather than traveling all the way to Stepanakert for treatment,” said Alaverdian.

Those attending the event were mostly physicians and members of AAMSC. Everyone enjoyed a lovely program with their dinner and were entertained by a dance ensemble. Notable guests such as Larry Zarian, former mayor of Glendale, Mesrob Shaboyan, Deputy Consul General and other special guests were also on hand to show their support. Frank V. Zerunyan, J.D., served as the master of ceremonies for the evening.

In addition to raising funds for the AAMSC project in Artsakh, the annual banquet serves as an opportunity to honor professionals who have made great contributions in the field of medicinal science. At this year’s banquet Professor Hagop Akiskal was awarded with the AAMSC’s Lifetime Achievement Award. The prestigious award was granted for his groundbreaking contributions to the field of Psychiatry. The honoree was introduced by Boghos Yerevanian, M.D., with remarks given by Haroutune Armenian, M.D., Dr.PH.

“Apart from his enormous contribution to the field of psychiatry, Hagop Akiskal is an extraordinary human being. He is able to challenge the status quo with original and groundbreaking ideas. At a time, when psychiatry was in disarray, he rejected the fragmentation of the field and set the tone of cooperation and collaboration for everyone in the field. Pulling all the research together, these studies became the most cited papers in modern psychiatric literature. An ultimate synthesizer,” said Dr. Armenian.

Prof. Akiskal’s main contribution has been primarily in mood disorders specifically chronic depression and early detection of Schizophrenia in young children that are treatable illness.

His mood clinics have had worldwide appeal because of their philosophy of conducting clinical training and research while delivering high quality care. His research on artistic creativity with Knarig Akiskal led to the development of a new instrument, Temperament Evaluation of Memphis, Pisa, Paris and San Diego (TEMPS), now translated into 25 languages, thereby contributing to the worldwide renaissance of the temperament field.

He is presently Distinguished Professor of Psychiatry and Director of the International Mood Center at the University of California at San Diego, where he is also on the faculty of International Health and Cross-Cultural Medicine.

There were also items for auction donated by AAMSC members to help boost monetary support such as, The Falcone Piano donated by Hollywood Piano Company. Also held for auction was a Gran Patron Burdeos Anejo Tequila donated by Zareh & Melina Issakhanian.

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AAMSC Mission: Every person has the right to an adequate and affordable medical care, and the Armenian community is no exception. For years, Armenian-Americans have excelled within the healthcare industry. The Armenian American Medical Society of California (AAMSC) is a bridge to unite those people in need of care with the healing hands who can best treat them

The Big Bad Armo Show!!

From the imagination of writer, performer and director, Lory Tatoulian comes 45 different characters played by 9 actors that portray a slew of every Armenian imaginable in the

BIG BAD ARMO SHOW!!!

The Big Bad Armo Show is a riotous romp through the Diaspora’s top vacation--and immigration--hot spots--Pasadena, Glendale, Paris, Fresno, Tehran, and Beirut…

Meet some of your favorite people who live off of the 134 Freeway!

Watch the sly moves of Gary the Shoorch Bar King!

Buy a foreclosed Glendale "Dream Home" from the Dirty Dandeegeen!

Move to the pulsing beat of Broadway (and Brand) show tunes!

Forget cruising down Glenoaks Blvd, looking for something to do, come to, come to The Big Bad Armo Show instead, for loads of laughs, cleverly written sketches staring a cast of talented young Armenians. Charismatic actors such as: Vikki Kalfayan, Anais Thomassian, Armen Kerasimian, Ludwig Manukian, Alex Kalognomos, Helen Kalognomos, Raffi Rupchian, James Martin, Lory Tatoulian

Written and Directed by Lory Tatoulian

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Partial Proceeds from the shows will go towards the Children’s Music Fund.

The Children’s Music Fund’s mission is to provide musical instruments and music therapy to children with chronic and life-altering illnesses. According to The American Cancer Society, music therapy can result in a decreased need for pain medication and increases quality of life in cancer patients. Visit www.ChildrensMusicFund.org for details.

WHEN: May 1, 2, & 3
TIME: 8 PM Show Time
WHERE: Showpro, 3229 Casitas Ave. Los Angeles CA 90039
Tickets are: $25 / http://www.itsmyseat.com/BBAS.html


* For Mature Audiences * In English* Cabaret style seating* Free Parking*

AAMSC: Honors Prof. Hagop Aksikal with a Lifetime Achievement Award

HAGOP SOUREN AKISKAL TO RECIEVE LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARD FROM
American Armenian Medical Society of California
AT THE 23RD ANNUAL FUNDRAISING BANQUET

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Prof. Akiskal rose to prominence with his unified theory of depression (Science, 1973). He established chronic depressions as treatable mood disorders, providing hope to millions of sufferers. His mood clinics have had worldwide appeal because of their philosophy of conducting clinical training and research while delivering high quality care.

His research on artistic creativity with Kareen Akiskal led to the development of a new instrument, Temperament Evaluation of Memphis, Pisa, Paris and San Diego (TEMPS), now translated into 25 languages, thereby contributing to the worldwide renaissance of the temperament field.

Prof. Akiskal is the author of more than 500 scientific papers. He is on the Philadelphia Institute of Scientific Information’s top-10 most cited researchers in psychiatry and psychology. He is also listed in the Best Doctors in America, American’s Top Psychiatrists, 100 Armenian Psychiatrists, and Marquis Who’s Who in the World. Since 1996, he is Editor-in-Chief of the Journal of Affective Disorders (Amsterdam) and Editor of Psychopathology (Heidelberg). Of Prof. Akiskal’s more than 20 books, the latest is Bipolar Psychopharmacotherapy: Caring for the Patient (2006).

He is presently Distinguished Professor of Psychiatry and Director of the International Mood Center at the University of California at San Diego, where he is also on the faculty of International Health and Cross-Cultural Medicine. Previous posts include senior science advisor at the National Institute of Mental Health (Bethesda, 1990-94), and the World Health Organization (Geneva, 1997). He currently serves on the International Advisory Board of the Yerevan Medical School.

Widely regarded among the foremost authorities in the world in the field of bipolar disorders today, Prof. Akiskal has been awarded many National and International awards such as: the Jean Delay Prize, the highest distinction of the World Psychiatric Association, Harvard University’s Ig-Nobel Prize for the chemistry of romantic love, as well as the German Anna-Monika, the French Jules Baillarger, the Italian Arateus, the National Alliance for Research on Schizophrenia and Affective Disorders (NARSAD) pioneer clinical scientist, and American Psychiatric Association’s George Tarjan prizes. He is a distinguished fellow of the American Psychiatric Association and honorary member of the royal College of Psychiatrists (London) and 15 other US National and International Societies. He has been awarded Doctor Honoris causa from the Universities of Lisbon and Thessaloniki. He has been elected into the French National Academy of Medicine and the Armenian National Academy of Sciences. He has received the Gold Medal of the Society of Biological Psychiatry and the Aristotle Gold Medal from the Brain and Behavior Society. He is also a recipient of the Gold Medal of the Armenian Medical Association (Yerevan), and in 2003, he received the Ellis Island Medal of Honor “for exceptional national humanitarian service.”

This year he will be awarded AAMSC’s Lifetime Achievement Award, at the AAMSC 23rd Annual Banquet, not only for his contributions in the field of Psychiatry, but also for his efforts to provide relief to Armenia after the devastating earthquake in 1988.

This year’s 23rd Annual Banquet will be held at the Beverly Hills Hotel, Sunday, May 3rd, 2009. With MC Frank Zerunyan: Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger appointed Mr. Zerunyan to the Division of Medical Quality in 2006. With special entertainment provided by Comedian Sam Tripoli.

The AAMSC has decided to focus its fundraising efforts to provide a mobile diagnostic and therapeutic unit as well as updated educational materials for local physicians in Nagorno-Karabakh. The mobile diagnostic unit will enable people who live mostly in rural and mountainous regions of Nagorno-Karabakhto receive medical treatments. It will act as a lifeline between people who are hard pressed for transportation to medical facilities in the city and available physicians to treat their medical needs.

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People who don’t have the means and are in need of treatment cannot make it to the polyclinic in the city and, as a result, preventative illnesses go untreated which will decrease the general health of the community.

Contributions from this event and its attendees will significantly increase AAMSC’s outreach in the Nagorno-Karabakh regions, ensuring healthcare for all and firmly maintaining their medical mission.

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Previous winners of AAMSC Lifetime Achievement awards
2002 - Aram V. Chobanian, M.D.: Dean and Provost Boston University School of Medicine

2003 - Vartkes Najarian, M.D.: Founder of Medical Outreach

2004 - Raymond V. Damadian, M.D.: Inventor of Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI)

2005- John Autian, M.S., Ph.D.: He was the Senior Science Advisor to a Joint U.S. and Saudi Arabian project establishing the first environmental toxicology laboratory in the Kingdom.

2006 - John P. Bilezikian, M.D.: Professor of Medicine and Pharmacology at the College of Physicians & Surgeons, Columbia University, and is Chief of the Division of Endocrinology and Director of the Metabolic Bone Diseases Program at Columbia-Presbyterian Medical Center
& Rita Balian: president and CEO of the Armenian American Cultural Association, Inc. (AACA),

2008 - Andranik Ovassapian, M.D.: Renowned Respiratory Physiologist


When: Sunday, May 3rd, 2009
Time: 5:00pm
Where: Beverly Hills Hotel
9641 Sunset Blvd,
Beverly Hills, CA
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AAMSC Mission: Every person has the right to an adequate and affordable medical care, and the Armenian community is no exception. For years, Armenian-Americans have excelled within the healthcare industry. The Armenian American Medical Society of California (AAMSC) is a bridge to unite those people in need of care with the healing hands who can best treat them.

Literally, a literary Evening: with Aris Janigian

Glendale, CA- Abril Bookstore. I was asked to introduce the novel Riverbig, written by Aris Janigian and say a few words about the author. The Following is the speech I wrote and recited to those who attended the event.

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I would like to thank everyone who is here tonight. Of all the things you could be doing on your Thursday evening, to come here and support literary events such as this one is greatly appreciated.

I’m not going to stand here and give you a 20 min. spiel on who wonderful the book is, because I’d rather you discover that for your selves. I’ll just say a few words so we can jump right into the book and be immersed.

It gives me great pleasure to introduce to you Aris Janigian.

Aris Janigian co-edited two issues of ARARAT; he was a contributing writer to West, the LA Times Sunday Magazine: won the Anahid Literary Award from Columbia University: and wrote an op-ed article for the Warsaw Gazetta was instrumental in getting Poland to adopt a genocide resolution.

I was first introduced to Aris Janigian’s writing when I was asked to write a book review for his title Bloodvine. The story revolves around what happens between two brothers and the piece of land. The narrator goes back into his father’s past to piece together the series of events that leads to the great chasm between these brothers and everyone who had a hand in creating it.

What is fascinating about this story are the characters that surround Andy, short for Andranick. Andy is a first-generation Armenian- American. His character teeters between the world of the odars, the non-Armenian, and that of his people. Though he is invested in his community and church, compared to the rest of his family he is progressive in his thinking.

Riverbig, the sequel to Bloodvine, is the continuation of that story. Where Bloodvine focused on Andy’s Armenian world, here in Riverbig the narrative perspective rests its gaze on the odar/other world. We see another setting that Andy inhibits as he tries to make an honest living in an otherwise corrupt surroundings.

Throughout the novel, we find Andy constantly running up against walls with every venture he pursues. And with every endeavor he overcomes his obstacles and does so with a relentless work ethic that’s been instilled in him by his culture.

When he has a moment to pause from his day-to-day life and reflect we get a glimpse of the troubling thoughts he carries within him. These deep physiological issues surface and swell up from time to time and we find Andy struggling to reconcile them as he tries to move forward and make a better life for his family.

Underneath the gritty exterior of this farmer, we find Andy conflicted with troubling issues that haunt and follow him throughout the story:
* There are the unresolved issues with his family, his brother who betrayed him.
* The element or sense of belonging in this odar/other world. How to fit in?
* And also the burden of carrying cultures anguish at the injustices they’ve suffered through.

Within this internal tension, Aris Janigian, raises not only questions but also the complexity of the Diasporas psyche. In our community we face the same challenges not only learning how to balance between these two sets of worlds we occupy, but also working through the problems they present. And in this way the novel, Riverbig, takes on another dimension making Andy a study of the American-Armenian mind, A study of the Armenian Identity.

How can we as, a community, as a people, move forward and exists with the rest of the world when we have so much holding us back? What becomes of us when the culture we inherit becomes a burden rather than just a part of who we are?

These are the bold and daring questions that surface quietly in Riverbig. And these are the types of questions that need to be addressed as individuals, as a community and as a culture. This is why authors like Aris Janigian’s are so vital because they expose and explore trends in our community and culture that we may not even be aware of. It takes a brave voice to bring these issues to light in the hopes of progressing strongly into the future.

Armenian American Medical Society: HEALTH FAIR

Glendale, CA – at the Saint Mary’s Church the AAMSC annual Health Fair was held on Saturday February 28th. The Armenian Nurses Association along with the Armenian Dental Association helped to facilitate this event.

Primary Preventive Health Care

The annual Health Fair, now in it’s 18th running, was met with the same dedication from members and supporters as previous years. Booths, providing a wide range of medical services from internal medicine to pediatrics, were set up and managed by seasoned and young physicians alike. These volunteers gave up a few hours of their Saturday to help members of the Armenian community.

In fact these Health Fairs are targeted to members of the community that can’t afford health insurance or fall short of being eligible for government aid. At least this event provides services, brings specialists, and connects attendants to resources that are available within their local community year round. But most importantly, the Fair is primarily a preventive care service. These medical services are available because of the effort put forth by the AAMSC. Evaluations can run from simple eye and ear exams to more sophisticated tests such as cholesterol and EKG readings, Pap smear and Mammograms.

“It’s amazing what they do here,” said Evelyn Baghdasarian, who started coming to this event first as a medical student volunteering at her uncle’s optometry booth in 2004. After finishing her residency, she focused her volunteering efforts on pediatrics. The pediatrics booth is a recent addition to the Health Fair, most patients that stop by the booth have questions about shots, vitamins, and about weight management. Dr. Abajian’s group, California Health First Physicians, sponsored the booth.

According to Baghdasarian, last year at a mammogram screening, they detected one person with early stages of cancer. “That’s a life saved. Even if it’s one patient at a time, that one person, who didn’t have insurance, didn’t know what to do, just came here and they took care of her. It just makes you want to be apart of something like that.”

Also present at the Health fair was Advisory Board Member, Mirelle Hamparian, who was volunteering at the optometry booth. “As any health professional we have this need to help people,” said Hamparian, who commented how thorough the services at the Health Fair were from: diabetes screenings, cholesterol checks, and blood pressure readings.

“I just saw a lady with a cholesterol level of 485! I said to her if you don’t take care of this right now, you won’t be around in a couple of years. At the very least, with whatever small resources they have they can focus their efforts and take care of major issues before it becomes worse,” shared Hamparian

The Health Fair has become such an integral part of the community that some physicians see the same patients every year because of the extent and quality of services the fair provides.

A Collaborative Effort

Dr. Tashdjian attributes the success of this year’s Health Fair to communication between the physicians and the patience. The combination of communication and collaboration is key in any health care related event. “Though the attendants can not receive a completely comprehensive care, at least there is good communication among the people who are present.”

During the event, there was a pause to award groups and individuals plaques of appreciation to: AAMSC Lady’s Axillary, the Armenian American Nurses Association, the Los Angeles County Office of Women's Health and John Krikorian, in recognition of their dedication to the success of AAMSC’s Health Fair and in appreciation of their collaborative efforts to benefit the community at large.

However, one such individual who deserves a special mention is Zarmine Naccashian, who is regarded by many to be the backbone of AAMSC’s annual Health Fair. While chairing the Health Fair Committee for the last 8 years, the event has grown to add new services and equipment available for a more thorough testing; which is made possible through her years of working in the medical field. Along with establishing these contacts she is able to bring together doctors, pharmacists and equipment donated from local hospitals. Since then, the Health Fair has been a collaboration between the AAMSC and other health related organizations.

“Something like this and of this magnitude cannot be done alone. It has to be multi-disciplinary to have extensive services available and to cover a wide range of needs or else it’s a narrowly focused venture,” said Naccashian.

For the Future

Even though the Health fair has been running like a well-oiled machine, improvements and expansions for future events are on the horizon.When asked about these improvements, Dr. Alvarian said, “[I] think there is needs to be some constructive changes in the future.”

Alvarian was concerned that an open hall, like the one at the St. Mary’s Church, offered little privacy for proper examinations to be conducted. “In the coming years, we may need to organize the event in a school hall with class rooms for each specialty.” Which would also mean moving towards building each booth into self-sufficient stations that are established and coordinated by the volunteers themselves.

While moving forward with these changes, the main objective still remains the same, which is connecting people who really need thee services to take advantage of the resources that are available in their community year round.

“I don’t think they realize the value of an event like this that is major resource center to connect these people to services they can get year round. You have to be proactive and make use of what’s available in your community. The Health Fair is only once a year, but those clinics are there year round and you’re entitled to these services. A healthy community starts from our own backyards and grow from there,” said Naccashian.

Shelby

After a long day of being flooded with work, Shelby’s head popped out of the waters like a mountaintop. The sea of work was being drained away, since it was already 6pm and it was time to go home. Emerging from the sea foams of forms she discovered that her hand and turned into a wooden block.

She could not be concerned with this right now, because she had to be on her way to her daughter’s piano recital. Swamped by post-its knee deep that leeched onto her DKNY pant suit, filled with passwords she could never remember, short cuts to programs, and “MUST DO” memos, could not stop her from seeing her little girl play the piano.

Shelby sloshed through the quicksands of her managers, Mr. Brash, unending demands that kept pulling her back into the abysmal dark Congo that was work. But she was determined to make it past the corporate boogie-traps, get to her car and make to the recital on time. Because no amount of guilt or deadlines that keep getting stacked up on one another could compare to the possible disappointment she would see in her daughters big blue eyes if mommy missed yet another performance because of work.

She couldn’t bare hearing: “It’s ok, Mommy, work is important too…”

Not this time.

She was prepared to face the tidal wave of setbacks and machines suddenly jamming up and people generally messing up and needed her help because they’re a bunch of incompetent buffoons, ahead of her. Right when she turned off her PC, and brushed off the post it notes off her suit, Janet came by her workspace.

“You think you have a minute to help me with this? It’ll only take a sec…”

Shelby picked up her wooden- block hand and bashed Janet’s head in. “No” Shelby whispered and crossed over Janet’s collapsed body, making sure she didn’t step into any spilt blood and ruin her shoes. She soon turned the corner and would be entering what she called the “cubie-trap.” It was a danger zone. If she could make it through this part unscathed, she would home free. Shelby walked the path slowly and steadily. Slithering through silently tiring to go unnoticed, when she heard the beeps, clicks and chirps of the fax machine.

“Why wont this thing work,” she head Frank shout and bang the side of the machine. Frank couldn’t work the fax machine if his family was taken hostage by the Russian mafia and all he had to do was Fax them a piece of paper…His family would get it, execution style. Frank was just that dumb. And by some sort of black magic every time he worked the fax Shelby would always be there and he would call her his “guardian angel” in that insufferable tone of his. Frank turned around and immediately, Shelby stood frozen in her tracks.

Though her stance was a little awkward, she knew how to hold it because of that one yoga class she took once but couldn’t continue the session because of work…Besides being dumb, Frank didn’t have depth perception and so when things stood absolutely still he would mistake them as being apart of his environ. After a few moments of vigorous head scratching, Frank stepped away from the fax machine and went to look for someone who could help him.

Once he was completely out of sight, Shelby let out a sigh of relief and continued on her way through. She hastened her pace a bit, her heels clicking softly on the office carpet. She was able to pass Shelia who watched you-tube all day, that never did any work, and thus it was dumped on Shelby’s desk to do and finish, successfully. There was one more trap she had to pass before she was in the clear and that was Mike the Sexual harassment monkey. He would swing from cubicle to cubicle making inappropriate jokes with all the female employees.

Mike thought that a woman who chose to work was a Feminist and Feminists were women who wanted to be treated like men rather than with respect. Shelby had thought about filing a complaint but she was always too busy to do so. That Balding Bastard. What was worse was Mike had an in with MR. Brash. They were golfing buddies. Every Sunday they were at the local country club.

“Hey there, where do you think you’re going pretty lady?”

Shelby cringed when she heard the voice. It was the Monkey. She slowly turned around and found him standing too close to her, as usual. She could smell his breath: coffee and tacos. He was eyeing her. Shelby felt it. He was also playing with his belt buckle. That was the last straw. Shelby wound up her arm, like she did when she played softball in college, let her wooden block hand loose and straight into the fuckers monkey brains. Mike gasped for air, grabbed his smashed coconuts and fell face forward to the ground.

Shelby let out a sigh of relief and didn’t realize how good it felt to do that. She decided she should sign up with a local team. But after her daughter’s recital, of course. She was finally in the clear and saw the exit doors to the office head of her. She pushed the tall glass doors and was about to reach the elevators when the receptionist, Becky, stopped her.

“Oh, Um, Mr. Brash, wants you fill out these reports before you leave tonight,” Becky said pulling out a stack of papers piled at least a mile high.

Shelby considered smacking Becky upside the head like Janet. Not because of the late notice with the reports, but because one time she over heard Becky make fun of an outfit Shelby was particularly fond of and thought it made her look smart and stylish in. But on second thought, taking into consideration the destruction Shelby had just left behind she decided to lower her hand-mallet and told Becky that it would have to wait. She was already late to a very important engagement.

Shelby walked towards the elevators again and just her luck one was already open waiting for her.

“But, what should I tell Mr. Brash?” Becky called out behind her.

Shelby stepped in and as the doors were closing said:

“Tell him to kiss my – “