AAMS’ 16th Annual CME & CDE Las Vegas Getaway

Rami G. Apelian, MD, MPH is a triple board certified neurologist in private practice in Arcadia, CA.  He has subspecialty board certifications in Epilepsy and Clinical Neurophysiology.  A Southern California native, Dr. Apelian completed his undergraduate Bachelor of Science degree at UC San Diego where he majored in Animal Physiology and Neuroscience in 2000.  He graduated from Tulane University in 2006 with a Doctor of Medicine degree and a Master of Public Health with a focus on Health Systems Management.  While in New Orleans, he served as a board member of the Louisiana State Medical Society and as a Delegate to the American Medical Association.  Following graduation, he completed his Internal Medicine internship at Tulane University and Charity Hospitals in New Orleans.  In 2007, he returned home to Los Angeles and completed his four-year neurology residency at LAC+USC Medical Center.  He was named Chief Resident during the 2009-2010 academic year.  After residency, he completed a Clinical Neurophysiology fellowship at LAC+USC Medical Center, making him eligible for the subspecialty board exam which he completed in 2013.  He subsequently certified in Epilepsy in 2016.  He is a graduate of the exclusive J. Kiffin Penry Epilepsy Minifellowship which he completed in 2010 and completed subsequent education in Neuromodulation in the same program in 2018.  He is current voluntary teaching faculty in the Department of Neurology at the Keck USC School of Medicine.  He has served as a subinvestigator on a number of clinical trials and is currently serving as a consultant for multiple industry products across the neurological spectrum of disease.  He remains an active member of the American Medical Association, the Armenian American Medical Society, the American Academy of Neurology, and the American Epilepsy Society.  His interests are in adult epilepsy, particularly in new-onset epilepsy in patients above the age of 65 affected by other neurological diseases, and recurrent episodes that have not been thoroughly evaluated. He will be speaking on the following topic: "Changes in Strategies in Managing Motor and Non-Motor Symptoms in Parkinson's Disease".

Disclosure: Rami Apelian, MD is on the speakers’ bureau of Lundbeck, Us World Meds, Eisai, Pfizer, Sunvian, Allergan and Avanir

Anna Arabyan is a Dr. of Pharmacy and a professor at the University of Southern California.  Her course titled "The Art of Pain Management" examines pain in a whole new light.  Topics include the opioid epidemic, street drugs, unlikely medication combinations, spiritual and psychosocial pain, meditation, and much more.  Dr. Arabyan works in the ever-growing field of hospice and palliative care.  The lecture is a must for anybody interested in how science meets art in the most unthinkable of ways in the most painful of times.

Disclosure: Anna Arabyan, PharmD has no relevant financial relationships with commercial interests

Harry Balian, MD, FACC, FSCAI, received his Medical Degree from Chicago Medical School in 1997. He completed his Internal Medicine Residency at the University of California, Irvine where he also served as Chief Resident. Completed his Cardiology fellowship at the University of California, Irvine where he served as Chief Fellow. Dr. Balian completed his Interventional Cardiology and Vascular training at the George Washington University in Washington DC. Dr. Balian specializes in the treatment of heart disease, coronary artery percutaneous interventions and pacemaker insertions. He also performs peripheral vascular interventions including carotid stents, endovascular abdominal aortic aneurysm stents, renal stents and lower extremity angioplasties. Dr. Balian is board certified in Internal Medicine, Cardiovascular Diseases, Nuclear Cardiology, Interventional Cardiology and Vascular Medicine. Dr Balian is the Chairman of department of cardiology since 2015 and the Director of Structural Heart Program at Glendale Adventist, he started the TAVR (percutaneous aortic valve replacement) program since 2016. Dr. Balian is and has been a member of the Executive Committee of AAMS Since 2006. He is a fellow of the American College of Cardiology, the Society of Coronary angioplasty and Interventions and the American Heart Association. He has been the Medical Director of the Cardiac Cath Lab at Glendale Adventist Heart & Vascular Institute since 2006 and past Medical Director of the Peripheral Vascular Lab at St Vincent Hospital. He is an Associate Clinical Professor at Western University School of Medicine. Dr. Balian will be speaking on the following topic: "The Use of Mechanical Circulatory Support in Treatment of High Risk Coronary Artery Disease".

Disclosure: Harry Balian, MD, FACC, FSCAI has no relevant financial relationships with commercial interests

Nick Ghazarian, DO is an orthopedic spine surgeon and Los Angeles native. He graduated from the University of California Los Angeles, with a degree in Biology. He received his medical education at Touro University of Nevada and served as Chief Resident during orthopedic surgery residency training at Valley Hospital Medical Center. After residency, Dr. Ghazarian was selected to participate in a spine fellowship at the prestigious San Diego Spine Foundation at Scripps hospital. Upon completion of the fellowship, Dr. Ghazarian returned to Los Angeles and founded Precision Spine & Orthopedics, with offices in both Glendale and Sherman Oaks. Dr. Ghazarian started his practice in order to meet the need for orthopedic and spine specialists in his hometown. Precision Spine & Orthopedics was created with the purpose of serving the community through the provision of advanced yet affordable cutting edge treatments at local community hospitals. Dr. Ghazarian trained under the leadership of renowned pioneers in spine surgery during residency and fellowship. His research has focused on cutting-edge, minimally invasive treatments of complex spinal conditions and has resulted in numerous published articles, lectures and presentations at national conferences. Dr. Ghazarian is committed to philanthropy.  He is an active member of Global Spine Outreach (GSO), and provides complex spinal surgeries to underprivileged children with life threatening spinal conditions, meanwhile training local physicians of the latest advances for the management of these conditions.  Locally, Dr. Ghazarian has provided free physicals for low- income high school students; counseled teens involved in gang violence, as well as given talks at multiple schools and events. In recognition of his volunteerism, he was awarded with the Southern Nevada Public Health Hero in 2016.  As a trained martial artist in multiple disciplines, Dr. Ghazarian has treated many amateur and professional UFC fighters and boxers as the ringside physician. Dr. Ghazarian will be presenting "Lumbar Disc Herniations, Evaluation and Management".

Disclosure: Nick Ghazarian, DO has no relevant financial relationships with commercial interests

Paul Janoian, MD is a board certified internist and infectious diseases specialist with a particular interest in tropical medicine and arthropod borne illnesses. He completed his undergraduate degree in biochemistry with a minor in anthropology at UCLA. He obtained his medical degree from New York Medical College, after which he completed residency in internal medicine and fellowship in infectious diseases at UCLA. He received a Diploma in Tropical Medicine and Hygiene from the Gorgas Course in Clinical Tropical Medicine in Lima, Peru. Currently, Dr. Janoian is a clinical instructor in the Division of Infectious Diseases at UCLA where he has an active clinical practice in general infectious diseases and tropical medicine and is also active in global health education. Dr. Janoian will be speaking on the following topic: "Tick-Borne Diseases In the United States: A Call to Action".

Disclosure: Paul M. Janoian III, MD has no relevant financial relationships with commercial interests

Ara Keshishian MD, FACS, FASMBS, completed his undergraduate studies at the University of Southern Californiain Biomedical Engineering. He then attended the American University of the Caribbean for medical school and completed his surgical residency training in St. Joseph, Pontiac Michigan.  As part of his training, he gained experience in weight loss surgical procedures.In Private practice since 1999, he has performed over 3000 weight loss surgical procedures. These have included both primary procedures and surgical correction of complication of other procedures. He specializes in surgical correction of complicationof the lap band and the gastric bypass. He is Board Certified in General Surgery, and is a Fellow of the American College of surgeons and the American Society for Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery. He is also an accredited  Bariatric surgeon by the AmericanCollege Surgeon's Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery Accreditation and Quality Improvement Program (MBSAQIP). Dr.Keshishian will be speaking on the following topic: Postoperative Pain Management - Focus on Policies and Protocols".

Disclosure: Ara Keshishian, MD, FACS, FASMBS has no relevant financial relationships with commercial interests

Eric Kezirian, MD, MPH is an otolaryngologist-head and neck surgeon and one of the world's leading surgeons and researchers specializing in the treatment of snoring and obstructive sleep apnea. He is Professor and Vice Chair in the USC Caruso Department of Otolaryngology - Head & Neck Surgery at the Keck School of Medicine of USC in Los Angeles, California.  He is a Past President of the International Surgical Sleep Society, the world's premiere organization dedicated to sleep surgery.  Dr. Kezirian has dedicated his entire career to the surgical treatment of snoring and obstructive sleep apnea, one of the few surgeons in the world to do so.  Dr. Kezirian has led research funded by the National Institutes of Health and other organizations considering fundamental questions facing patients and surgeons related to sleep disorders and surgical treatment.  He regularly writes about procedures and developments in sleep surgery at https://sleep-doctor.com.  Dr. Kezirian is board-certified in otolaryngology-head and neck surgery and sleep medicine. He will be speaking on the following topic: "Surgery for Sleep Apnea and Snoring and Considerations for Managing Insomnia in Older Adults: Safe and Effective Treatment Options".

Disclosure: Eric Kezirian, MD is a consultant for Cognition Life Scientific, Split Rock Scientific, Gerard Scientific.
Consultant, Intellectual Property Rights of Berendo Scientific and Magnap. Research study site investigator of Inspire Medical Systems. Advisory Board of Nyxoah and CryOSA.

Narineh Zohrabian, MD is a board certified dermatologist specializing in medical, surgical and cosmetic dermatology. She is a native of the Glendale/Pasadena area and has returned after her extensive years of training to serve this wonderful community.  Dr. Zohrabian trained at the University of California, Irvine, Dermatology Residency Program, where she was the Chief Resident. She is a diplomat of the American Board of Dermatology, and a Fellow of the American Academy of Dermatology. Dr. Zohrabian received her Bachelor of Science degree graduating Cum Laude from UC, Irvine, and then moved on to Chicago Medical School where she obtained her medical degree graduating with the highest medical school honor of Alpha Omega Alpha. She subsequently completed an internship in medicine at Northwestern University prior to starting her training in Dermatology. Dr. Zohrabian strives to provide comprehensive dermatologic care in a professional and welcoming environment. She practices evidence based medicine, and implements the latest technologic and research advances to provide her patients with unparalleled care. Dr. Zohrabian enjoys combining her medical knowledge with the artistic nature of cosmetic dermatology to provide her patients with safe, effective, and natural-looking results. She will be speaking on the following topic: "Dermatology Pearls: The Good, The Bad, The Blistering".

Disclosure: Narineh Zohrabian, MD has no relevant financial relationships with commercial interests

Edwin Babadjanian, DDS graduated from University of Southern California Dental School in 2005 and completed one year of intense general residency program at the VA hospital in San Francisco. After his general residency training he decided to specialize in endodontics. He was accepted in a two-year program at Lutheran hospital in Brooklyn, New York where he received an exceptional training in surgical and non-surgical endodontic dentistry from 2006-2008. Upon completion of endodontic residency, he found even more interest in the dual nature of root canals and implants. To better understand both fields he decided to complete a two-year implantology fellowship program at New York University from 2008-2010. Currently practicing in Glendale, California.  Dr. Babadjanian will be speaking on the following topic: "Dental Implants vs Root Canal".

Narbeh Bandary, DDS is a board eligible Endodontist practicing in the La Crescenta-Montrose community, where he was originally born and raised.  He pursued his interest in the study of Biological Sciences at the University of Southern California (USC) and continued at USC with his Graduate education and training as a Doctor of Dental Surgery (DDS).  He then furthered his training at the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) in two different residency programs - first in Advanced Education in General Dentistry (AEGD), followed by his specialty Endodontics training, where he received his Endodontics Certification.  Last year he opened his own private practice limited to specialty Endodontics.  Dr. Bandary is known for his quality-centered and evidence-based treatment philosophy, and his attention to the many details in the field of Endodontics. Dr. Bandary will be presenting "The Value of Endodontic Microsurgery".

Emineh Khachian earned her DDS degree from the University of Southern California(USC) in 2004 and practices in her general and cosmetic dental office, Valley Village Dentistry, located in Los Angeles.  She attended UCLA for her undergraduate degree, where she graduated with a major in Biology, and a minor in Armenian Studies. Dr. Khachian also did extensive cancer research and trials at the Jonnson Comprehensive Cancer Center, while at UCLA.  Dr. Khachian's practice places a strong emphasis on conservative and cosmetic dentistry. Dr. Khachian will be presenting "Predictable Outcomes for Inlay and Onlays".

Armond Kotikian, DDS, MD, FACS is a Board Certified Oral and Maxillofacial surgeon in private practice in Glendale, CA. Presently he is the Vice President of the Armenian American Medical Society. He completed dental school at UCLA. He then completed a 1-year residency in Hospital Dentistry at the Long Beach Veterans Administration Hospital.  Subsequently, he pursued a residency in Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery. He earned his MD from Wayne State School of Medicine, did two years of general surgery and completed his Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery residency at the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, in 2009. He is in private practice in Glendale and holds staff privileges at GAMC, Dignity Health GMH and Providence St. Joseph Medical Center. Dr. Kotikian is also an Assistant Professor at USC in the Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery. Dr. Kotikian specializes in complicated dental implant cases, wisdom tooth extraction, and office anesthesia. In the hospital setting he performs facial trauma reconstruction, orthognathic surgery (corrective jaw surgery), treats obstructive sleep apnea patients, treats patients with oral pathology lesions and performs oral and maxillofacial reconstruction. Dr. Kotikian is a member of numerous organizations, including the American Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons, California Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons and the Southern California Orofacial Academy. He routinely lectures on subjects related to his field at both the local and national level. Dr. Kotikian has been featured in the LA Times, Chicago Tribune, Glendale Newspress and many other local newspapers for his work in the field of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery. Dr. Kotikian has also been featured on CNN Headline News local edition, ABC 7 in LA and the Diane Sawyer nightly news on ABC. Dr. Kotikian will be speaking on the following topic: "Ulcerative Conditions in the Oral Cavity".