More than 200 AAMSC members took part in the organization’s annual Christmas Party at Phoenicia Restaurant in Glendale. After an arduous year of providing the best in healthcare to their patients, the AAMSC members celebrated with an evening of music, delicious food, and dancing.

Joseph Puglisi delivered a brief presentation on the benefits of Electronic Medical Records (EMR).

Mentorship and Scholarship chair Dr. Raffi Tachdjian presented the AAMSC Scholarship to two outstanding students. Aram Shemmassian is currently attending the Tufts University School of Medicine, where he will graduate in May 2010 with a major in Neuroscience. He would like to apply for residency in either Emergency Medicine or Internal Medicine. Shemmassian has a long record of community service and volunteer work, in which he has been a Sunday School teacher at First Armenian Church; a Care Extender volunteer at UCLA SM Hospital; as well as a clinic volunteer at AMAA, among others. Derik Hossepian is currently attending UCLA as a psychobiology major, and will graduate in June 2013. He has a strong record of community service and volunteer work, including the AAMSC mentorship program since its inception. Hossepian has also been a tutor at Glendale Community College for four years.

“These two young men represent a bright future in the medical field, and the AAMSC recognizes their strong commitment to their studies, as well as their record of community service,” said mentorship and scholarship chair Dr. Raffi Tachdjian.

Past president Varoosh Alaverdian introduced incoming president Vicken Sepilian, along with the 2010 Executive Committee members.

Vicken Sepilian thanked the members for attending the mixer, acknowledged the past presidents in attendance – Bedros Kojian, Misak Abdulian, Armen Cherik, and Boris Bagdasarian. Sepilian recognized several guests from Glendale Memorial Hospital in attendance, including David Mauss, VP of Business Development; Karen Gulbenkian, Vice President Patient Care Services / Chief Nurse Executive; and Arpi Kestenian, Director of Physician/Managed Care Engagement, as well as AAMSC Ladies Auxiliary President Ramella Markarian. Sepilian thanked the sponsors who made the event possible – ePlatinumMD, Glendale Memorial Hospital, Pasadena Home Health Care , and Faith and Hope Hospice Inc.

The Christmas party was a tremendous success, as guests danced and enjoyed the festivities well into the night.