AAMSC 26th Annual Banquet Benefits Epileptic Children

The Armenian American Medical Society of California (AAMSC) held its 26th Annual Banquet recently at the Renaissance Hollywood Spa & Hotel.  The proceeds benefit the AAMSC’s Pediatric Epilepsy Project in Armenia.

The AAMSC is a bridge that unites people in need of care with the healing hands who can best treat them.  And this year, the AAMSC honored two extraordinary healthcare professionals who have crossed this bridge with exceptional leadership and commitment to public service. The AAMSC honored Dr. N. Simon Tchekmedyian with the 2011 AAMSC Lifetime Achievement Award and Dr. Zarmine Naccashian with the 2011 President’s Leadership Award.

N. Simon Tchekmedyian, MD, FACP is a Diplomat of both the American Board of Internal Medicine and Medical Oncology. Dr. Tchekmedyian is also a Fellow of the American College of Physicians. Dr. Tchekmedyian has treated nearly 10,000 patients during his career. Former Governor of California George Deukmejian had once commended Dr. Tchekmedyian for his dedication to patient care and the “spirit” that he brings to heal his patients. 

Dr. Tchekmedyian is currently a Clinical Professor of Medicine at the David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA and Teaching Head of Hematology/Oncology at St. Mary Medical Center. He is also the Founder and Medical Director of one of the largest Oncology practices in the country, the Pacific Shores Medical Group in Long Beach, CA.

Zarmine Naccashian, PhD, RN, NP, CDE is a family and geriatric nurse practitioner and an assistant professor at Azusa Pacific University, School of Nursing. Dr. Naccashian is the coordinator of the Diabetes Care Center and a teacher of diabetes self-management classes in English and Armenian at Glendale Adventist Medical Center.

Dr. Naccashian has shown her commitment to public service through community leadership and outreach roles.  She has served as the President of the Armenian American Nurses Association, President of American Association of Diabetes, Treasurer of the AAMSC and Treasurer of California Association of Nurse Practitioners. For the past 10 years, Dr. Naccashian has coordinated the AAMSC annual community health fair. Dr. Naccashian has been the recipient of the 2003 Business Life “Women Achievers” Award and the 2009 honoree of Western Diocese of the Armenian Church of North America.

The AAMSC is the largest Armenian medical society in the Diaspora and its directory of practitioners is a vital resource for patients seeking care in various health related disciplines and specialties.  The Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME), ensuring that AAMSC members maintain their competence of new medical knowledge through Continuing Medical Education activities to improve quality care for patients and their communities, accredits the AAMSC