Vicken Sepilian, MD, FACOG
CME Planning Committee, Chair
Vicken Sepilian, MD, FACOG is board-certified in Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility, as well as Obstetrics and Gynecology. He completed his residency in Obstetrics and Gynecology at Drexel University College of Medicine and his fellowship in Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility at the University of Texas. While at the University of Texas, Dr. Sepilian received a Master of Science degree in Reproductive Medicine studying the impact of nutrition on reproductive health. Dr. Sepilian is the founder and medical director of American Fertility Specialists Medical Group and practices in Los Angeles and Glendale. Dr. Sepilian is the former President of the Armenian American Medical Society (AAMS). In 2008, he launched the AAMS "Your Health" Community Education Program that continues to air live on TV making house calls to countless Armenian households. In 2010, Dr. Sepilian was instrumental in launching the inaugural Glendale Health Festival and served as the Chairman of the organizing committee for the first two years. In 2012, Dr. Sepilian presided over a collaborative effort with colleagues in Canada of the ACMAO to train, staff and equip the Women's Health Clinic in Stepanakert, Artsakh. This collaborative effort by the AAMS, ACMAO, and the Ministry of Health of Karabagh continues to operate and provide preventative and essential health care to women free of charge. In 2013, as president of the AAMS, Dr. Sepilian Chaired the 11th Armenian Medical World Congress, a quadrennial international multispecialty conference that was very well attended and was one of the most successful ones to date. Dr. Sepilian currently serves on the Continuing Medical Education Committee, focusing his efforts on enhancing the experience for members.
Disclosure: Vicken Sepilian, MD, FACOG is a shareholder of Merck Pharmaceuticals and Organon Pharmaceuticals
Arsinee Kalfayan, PharmD
CME Quality Improvement Chair
Arsinee Kalfayan, PharmD graduated from UCLA with a Bachelor’s of Science in Psychobiology. In 1981, she received her Doctor of Pharmacy degree from the University California School of Pharmacy. She practiced in a variety of corporations including Cardinal Health and Catholic Healthcare West as a hospital pharmacy director for over twenty years. Since 2003, Dr. Kalfayan has been serving in the Armenian American Medical Society as a Continuing Medical Education planning committee member.
Disclosure: Arsinee Kalfayan, PharmD owns Moderna stocks
Garni Barkhoudarian, MD, FAANS
CME Planning Committee
Garni Barkhoudarian, MD, FAANS, is a board-certified, fellowship-trained neurosurgeon with a focus on skull base and minimally invasive endoscopic surgery. Dr. Barkhoudarian has particular interest and expertise in pituitary and parasellar tumors, brain tumors, skull-base tumors (including meningiomas, craniopharyngiomas, chordomas and schwannomas), intra-ventricular brain tumors, colloid cysts, trigeminal neuralgia, hemifacial spasm and other vascular compression syndromes. For virtually all tumors and intracranial procedures, Dr. Barkhoudarian applies the keyhole concept of minimizing collateral damage to the brain and its supporting structures using advanced neuroimaging and neuro-navigation techniques along with endoscopy to improve targeting and lesion visualization.
Along with Drs. Marisa Chang and Daniel Franc, Dr. Barkhoudarian leads the Pacific Facial Pain Center, which offers a 360-degree approach to trigeminal neuralgia, hemifacial spasm, glossopharyngeal spasm and other facial pain syndromes. This includes medication therapy, percutaneous procedures, stereotactic radiosurgery and endoscopic microvascular decompression of the trigeminal or facial nerves.
As Director of the Pacific Adult Hydrocephalus Center, he works with Dr. Daniel Franc to treat patients with various condition involving cerebrospinal fluid anomalies. This includes hydrocephalus (obstructive, acquired and normal pressure), colloid cysts, cerebrospinal fluid leaks, intracranial hypotension and idiopathic intracranial hypertension.
Dr. Barkhoudarian’s research interests include evaluating outcomes of pituitary and brain tumor surgery. He is also involved in the biomarkers research program for pituitary adenomas, meningiomas and metastatic brain tumors, as well as evaluating potential mechanisms and markers of invasive and atypical tumor progression. He is an investigator in a number of clinical trials evaluating the efficacy of various medical or chemotherapies for pituitary tumors and malignant brain tumors.
As director of the JWCI / PNI Microdissection Anatomy Laboratory, he conducts neuroanatomical analysis, advancing the procedures and technology used for minimally invasive surgery. Research fellows from around the world perform observational fellowships for periods of 3-6 months at a time, allowing them to learn these techniques and apply them in their home countries. In collaboration with Dr. Daniel Kelly, PNI Director, Dr. Barkhoudarian also oversees the Clinical Neurosurgical Fellowship.
Disclosure: Garni Barkhoudarian, MD is a consultant for Vascular Technology, Inc. and Ceravasc, Inc.
Kevin Galstyan, MD, FACOG
CME Planning Committee
Dr. Kevin Galstyan is a graduate of Yerevan State Medical University; received his medical degree in 1996. He completed his Internship in General Surgery at the University of Illinois Metropolitan Group Hospital program; he then completed his residency in Obstetrics and Gynecology at Mount Sinai Hospital and Medical Center in Chicago, Illinois in 2006. Dr. Galstyan is a Diplomate of the American Board of Obstetrics and Gynecology and a Fellow of the American College of Obstetrics and Gynecology. He is an assistant professor at Midwestern University, AZCOM. Dr. Galstyan is currently in private practice at Glendale Memorial Hospital and Medical Center. As of January 2017, Dr. Galstyan has been serving as the chairman of the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology at Glendale Memorial Medical Center. His expertise includes obstetrical care, gynecologic diseases and related outpatient and inpatient procedures.
Dr. Galstyan has been an active member of the Armenian American Medical Society for the past 10 years and currently serves as the President of the executive committee of the organization.
Disclosure: Kevin Galstyan, MD, FACOG has no relevant financial relationships with commercial interests
Armond Kotikian, DDS, MD, FACS
CME Planning Committee
Armond Kotikian, DDS, MD, FACS is a Board Certified Oral and Maxillofacial surgeon in private practice in Glendale, CA. Presently he is the secretary 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.
Disclosure: Armond Kotikian, DDS, MD, FACS has no relevant financial relationships with commercial interests
Astkhik Zakian, PharmD
CME Planning Committee, Chair
Dr. Astkhik Zakian is a Sr. Clinical Pharmacist at IngenioRx, Anthem’s pharmacy benefit manager (PBM). She has over 17 years of clinical and operational experience working at Anthem’s health plan and PBM, to support various initiatives involving Specialty Pharmacy and Pharmacy benefit designs. Dr. Astkhik Zakian received her Bachelor’s of Science degree from UCLA, and her Pharm.D. from the University of Southern California. Dr. Zakian is an active member of the Armenian American Medical Society, Academy of Managed Care Pharmacy, and other medical and pharmacy communities. She has provided countless guest lectures at CME seminars, California pharmacy schools and at other medical professional settings.
Disclosure: Astkhik Zakian has no relevant financial relationships with commercial interests
