Medical Society to Honor Dr. Keftarian on March 21
The Armenian American Medical Society will honor Dr. Shakeh Kaftarian, Ph.D., as recipient of the 2026 AAMS Lifetime Achievement Award, in recognition of a lifetime devoted to healing communities, empowering women and girls, advancing science, and uplifting future generations.
Dr. Kafterian will be recognized during the AAMS annual gala to be held on March 21, at the Landmark, Mission Hills, CA.
As a research psychologist at the National Institutes of Health, Dr. Kaftarian championed evidence-based prevention and helped shape federal substance abuse policy. Her work earned her distinguished leadership recognition from the White House and the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.
Dr. Kaftarian’s impact reached far beyond research. In the aftermath of the 1988 Armenian earthquake, she was recruited to serve on a Federal telemedicine delegation responding to a severely compromised Armenian healthcare infrastructure. What began as a humanitarian response grew into a decades-long commitment to Armenia and Artsakh.
She co-founded the Armenian American Health Association of Greater Washington and, through clinics, mobile medical services, and care for veterans and families, helped build sustainable healthcare programs that continued to serve communities for decades. This enduring work stands as a true testament to compassion translated into action.
Dr. Kaftarian has consistently advocated for women’s empowerment, championing opportunities that help girls and women reach their full potential. She has also mentored students, providing guidance and resources to support their educational journeys in medicine and mental health. She believes deeply that education and opportunity transform lives. Her life’s work reflects her powerful conviction that the greatest achievements are measured not by titles, but by lives strengthened and opportunities created.
