AAMS Legacy Gala Celebrates 40 Years of Impact
AAMS Honors Past Presidents, Awards Healthcare Leaders, and Sets the Stage for the Next 40 Years of Impact
LOS ANGELES—The Armenian American Medical Society on April 5 celebrated its four decades with the 40th Anniversary Gala, held at the Landmark in Mission Hills. The celebration welcomed 500 guests, including healthcare professionals, community leaders, and longtime supporters.
The highlight of the evening was a tribute to 14 Past Presidents of AAMS. Each was honored with a personalized award and recognition for their contributions. They include:
- Kevin Galstyan, MD, FACOG
- Armond Kotikian, DDS, MD, FACS
- Raffi Tachdjian, MD, MPH, FAAAAI
- Serineh V. Melidonian, MD
- Vicken Sepilian, MD, FACOG
- Varoosh Alaverdian, MD, FACOG
- Boris Bagdasarian, DO
- Armen J. Cherik, MD, MBA
- David G. Davtyan, MD, FACS, FICS
- Silva Karchikian, MD
- Bedros H. Kojian, MD, FACOG
- Misak H. Abdulian, MD ♰
- T. Gregory Kirianoff, MD, FACS ♰
- Misak Barsamian, MD ♰
“These are the pillars who built the foundation and gave us the tools to keep building,” said AAMS President Garni Barkhoudarian, MD. “We owe our strength and our future to their legacy of leadership, service, and vision.”
In addition to honoring past presidents, the evening featured the presentation of the 2025 AAMS Presidents’ Leadership Award to three healthcare leaders:
- Harry Balian, MD, FACC, FSCAI
- Arsine Kalfayan Geuvdjelian, PharmD
- Ramella Markarian, MS, MHA, Ed.D.
The event opened with the American and Armenian national anthems, performed by Sosie Mardirosian and accompanied by pianist Armen Bulbulyan. Guests were entertainment by Christine Pepelyan.
“This was more than a celebration. It was a moment to reflect on who we are and where we’re going,” said Executive Board Member and Gala Co-Chair Elizabeth Zoryan, RN, BSN, PHN.
“This gala was a tribute to every volunteer, every member, and every leader who poured their time, heart, and expertise into building something bigger than themselves,” added Executive Board Member and Gala Co-Chair Sherwin Hariri, MD, FAAAAI, FACAAI. “As the largest Armenian medical society in the Diaspora, AAMS has played a crucial role in advancing healthcare in Armenia, Artsakh, and the Diaspora, while also supporting Armenian medical students both here and in the Motherland.”
Since its founding in 1985 in the home of the late Dr. Misak Barsamian, AAMS has grown into the largest organization of Armenian healthcare professionals in the world. With initiatives spanning medical education, humanitarian missions, scholarships, and community health, AAMS continues to bridge borders and improve lives across the Armenian diaspora and beyond.
Proceeds from the gala will fund healthcare initiatives in Armenia and the expansion of AAMS’s scholarship program, helping support and inspire the next generation of healthcare leaders.
