THE ARMENIAN AMERICAN MEDICAL SOCIETY ANNOUNCES ITS 29TH CELEBRATORY GALA TO BENEFIT LOCAL COMMUNITY OUTREACH PROJECTS
Pasadena’s historical Langham Huntington Hotel and Spa sets the backdrop for annual fundraising gala, honoring three exceptional leaders in the healthcare community.
Glendale, CA, April 14, 2014 – On Saturday, May 3, 2014, the Armenian American Medical Society (AAMS) and the community of supporters will come together at the Langham Huntington Hotel and Spa, in Pasadena, CA. The event is an evening to celebrate the work of the organization, recognize distinguished honorees and raise funds to support its local community outreach projects, such as the Glendale Health Festival and community health education programs.
The event will feature a cocktail reception, dinner and an evening of dancing. Entertainment will be provided by Allen G. & Band. “We look forward to this event every year,” says Serineh Melidonian, MD, president of the AAMS. “Not only is it an opportunity to gather together to celebrate our achievements, we also raise much-needed funds to advance our society’s mission. This year we will dedicate the funds towards our outreach programs and 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.”
This year’s event will honor Frieda Jordan, CHS, PhD; Vartan Tachdjian, MD; and Ara Tekian, PhD, MHPE; three leaders in the healthcare community. Please join us as we celebrate and congratulate this year’s honorees:
About Frieda Jordan, CHS, PhD
Dr. Frieda Jordan, an accomplished bio-chemist and medical researcher, combined her expertise in the field of immunogenetics with her deep commitment to the Armenian community to co-found the Armenian Bone Marrow Donor Registry (ABMDR) in 1999. This pan-Armenian nonprofit organization brings the hope of life-saving bone marrow stem cell transplantation to thousands afflicted by blood-related illnesses.
Dr. Jordan, president of the organization, has inspired health awareness and championed healthcare in Armenian communities for the past 15 years. To date, under Dr. Jordan’s leadership, the ABMDR has worked across four continents, recruiting more than 25,000 donors in 18 countries, identifying 2,135 patients, and facilitating 18 bone marrow transplants.
Dr. Jordan has conducted workshops worldwide and co-authored numerous medical papers. She is a member of the British, European, and American Societies of Histocompatibility and Immunogenetics, as well as the World Marrow Donor Association. Her work has earned her numerous accolades from the Republic of Armenia, the State of California, as well as community-based organizations.
About Vartan Tachdjian, MD
Dr. Vartan Tachdjian has dedicated much of his distinguished medical career in service to impoverished communities. He was born in Beirut, Lebanon, in 1933, the son of Genocide survivors. A board certified pediatrician, Dr. Tachdjian served as medical director of the Community Health Foundation of Los Angeles, the second largest homeless care clinic in the country. He joined the Community Health Centers of the Central Coast of California, where he continues to treat the areas’ underserved population. In addition, he serves as a consultant for Doctors Without Borders.
Dr. Tachdjian has also been integral to the success of the Armenian American Medical Society, as an active member and past treasurer and vice-president. In 1974, Dr. Tachdjian co-founded the Armenian Medical World Congress in Lebanon. His son, Dr. Raffi Tachdjianis, also a pediatrician, now serves as a board member of AAMS.
His service to the Armenian community includes work as a pediatrician of the Tekeyan School in Lebanon, Educational Committee Advisor for the AGBU Middle East Chapter, as well as Chairman of the AGBU San Fernando Valley Chapter of California.
About Ara Tekian, PhD, MHPE
Dr. Ara Tekian is an internationally recognized scholar and leader in health professions education. Dr. Tekian is an associate professor and the Director of International Affairs at the Department of Medical Education, and the Associate Dean for the International Affairs at the College of Medicine, the University of Illinois at Chicago (UIC).
Prior to joining UIC, Dr. Tekian was the founding Director of the Medical Education Department at King Saud University, College of Medicine in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. His impressive resume also includes consultant to the World Health Organization Eastern Mediterranean Regional Office and consultant to the Ministries of Health and Education in most of the Eastern Mediterranean countries.
Dr. Tekian has organized and conducted over 150 workshops in more than 40 countries and 55 cities, focusing on curriculum development, assessment, program evaluation, and patient safety. His scholarship in health professions education is reflected in his publications in premiere medical education journals.
“The Armenian American Medical Society is proud to honor Dr. Jordan, Dr. Tachdjian and Dr. Tekian,” said Dr. Melidonian. “We are grateful for the opportunity to spotlight their extraordinary achievements in the field of medicine and most importantly, to publically thank them for their contributions to improving healthcare across the globe.”
For tickets to the 29th Annual Gala, or to become an event sponsor, please contact 818.980.777, or visit https://www.aamsc.com//images/gala_sponsorship.jpg.
The AAMS is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization and presently has over 500 members from around California whose areas of practice cover the entire spectrum of allied healthcare. The AAMS is the largest Armenian medical society in the Diaspora and its directory of practitioners is a vital resource for patients seeking care in various health related disciplines and specialties. The AAMS is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME), ensuring that AAMS members maintain their competence of new medical knowledge through Continuing Medical Education activities to improve quality care for patients and their communities.