What Are Common Conditions Treated Surgically in the Pediatric Population? “Your Health” Community Education Program on – Tonight, July 24th @ 7 PM on ARTN

Common Surgical Conditions in the Pediatric Population
Interview with Shant Shekherdimian, MD, MPH

Dr. Shant Shekherdimian, a native of Los Angeles, is a board-certified pediatric surgeon. Dr. Shekherdimian is also active in helping to shape public policy as a means to improve healthcare delivery around the world. He received his medical degree from Drexel University in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, in addition to a Masters in Public Health with an emphasis on global health from the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA). Dr. Shekherdimian completed a residency in general surgery at UCLA and a fellowship in pediatric surgery at the Hospital for Sick Children in Toronto, Canada. He is currently an Associate Professor of Surgery at UCLA. Dr. Shekherdimian’s clinical expertise includes acute care and neonatal surgery. Since 2021, he has also served as Senior Advisor to the Ministry of Health in Armenia, and has led task forces to improve primary care and quality on a national level. Dr. Shekherdimian is the recipient of a US Fulbright Scholar Award, which enabled him to teach at the Yerevan State Medical University, as well as conduct research on the feasibility of cancer screening in Armenia. Dr. Shekherdimian has mentored more than 30 medical students and residents who have conducted various healthcare-related research projects in Armenia, ranging from cardiovascular risk factor modification to quality improvement in hospitals (published in JAMA Surgery) to a comprehensive health survey in Artsakh (published in BMJ).

Dr. Vicken Sepilian is a Reproductive Medicine specialist and is the founder and director of American Fertility Specialists Medical Group. He is double board-certified in Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility, as well as Obstetrics and Gynecology. Dr. Sepilian has been an active member of the Armenian American Medical Society (AAMS) holding multiple leadership positions, including serving as the President from 2009 to 2013. Dr. Sepilian served as the Chairman of the 11th Armenian Medical World Congress and currently is the President of the Armenian Medical International Congress (AMIC), a nonprofit organization with chapters all over the world, with the aim of coordinating global efforts in improving healthcare in Armenia. Passionate about community education, in 2008, Dr. Sepilian launched the “Your Health” educational TV program aimed at sharing with the community the latest and most important healthcare topics. Since 2008, the show has been making house calls to tens of thousands of viewers helping educate them on preventative care and healthy lifestyles. In 2010, Dr. Sepilian, alongside other civic leaders and the former Mayor of the City of Glendale co-founded the Glendale Health Festival. Dr. Sepilian worked closely with city and state officials and local hospitals to organize this large-scale event with the aim to improve the health of the community. Dr. Sepilian is a strong believer that success and wealth are measured by life’s experiences and human interactions and that true happiness and purpose are achieved by giving. Cherished memories include debates about life and death with Dr. Jack Kevorkian, delivering pens to students in villages in Sri Lanka and teaching chess to orphans in Nepal.