About
Mission Statement
We are the Armenian Healthcare Association of the Bay Area.
Our mission is to foster collaboration among Armenian healthcare professionals in the Bay Area to support healthcare programs in Armenia and locally.
Our mission is to foster collaboration among Armenian healthcare professionals in the Bay Area to support healthcare programs in Armenia and locally.
About AHABA
The Armenian Health Care Association of the Bay Area (AHABA) is a 501 (c)(3) charitable organization led by Armenian-American physicians and other healthcare professionals in the San Francisco Bay Area. Since 1999, these dedicated caregivers have planned, fundraised and carried out medical projects to improve the health, lives and healthcare system of the people of Armenia. Examples of the kind of impact that AHABA has had can be found on the PROJECTS page. AHABA also provides grants to worthy local healthcare entities in Armenia. More information about the grant process can be found here.
All of AHABA’s medical projects are possible due to the unwavering generosity of the Armenian people living in the Bay Area and beyond. AHABA’s Board works hard to assure that those donations do as much good as possible by uncovering donated supplies or purchasing materials at deep discounts through their robust professional networks. AHABA also promotes the use of matching funds through employer programs that can sometimes double or even triple the generous gifts that Armenians and others make to the Armenian Health Care Association of the Bay Area.
AHABA also serves the local Armenian community directly through social events such as house concerts and wine tastings, lectures, health fairs and informational health webinars such as those held during COVID-19.
Board of Directors
Lori Panossian, MD
President
Dr. Lori Panossian is a Neurologist and Section Chief of Sleep Medicine at the Veteran’s Affairs Medical Center of Northern California. Dr. Panossian received a B.S. in Neuroscience from UCLA in 2000 and an M.D. from UCSF in 2005. She completed her residency training in Neurology in 2009 at UCLA, Clinical Fellowship in Sleep Medicine in 2010 at the University of Pennsylvania, MS program in Translational Research in 2012 at the University of Pennsylvania, and her postdoctoral research fellowship also at the University of Pennsylvania during 2010-2013. She has authored 14 medical publications, including original research, reviews and book chapters. Dr. Panossian’s past community services included vice-chairing the AGBU Armenian Young Professionals organization of Philadelphia from 2011-2013 and was a founding member of the Armenian Student and Housestaff Association at UCSF Medical School from 2001-2005. She currently teaches children’s Armenian culture and language classes at the Armenian Relief Society (ARS) Erepuni chapter Saturday school in the Bay Area. Dr. Panossian currently serves as the President of AHABA.
Dr. Lori Panossian is a Neurologist and Section Chief of Sleep Medicine at the Veteran’s Affairs Medical Center of Northern California. Dr. Panossian received a B.S. in Neuroscience from UCLA in 2000 and an M.D. from UCSF in 2005. She completed her residency training in Neurology in 2009 at UCLA, Clinical Fellowship in Sleep Medicine in 2010 at the University of Pennsylvania, MS program in Translational Research in 2012 at the University of Pennsylvania, and her postdoctoral research fellowship also at the University of Pennsylvania during 2010-2013. She has authored 14 medical publications, including original research, reviews and book chapters. Dr. Panossian’s past community services included vice-chairing the AGBU Armenian Young Professionals organization of Philadelphia from 2011-2013 and was a founding member of the Armenian Student and Housestaff Association at UCSF Medical School from 2001-2005. She currently teaches children’s Armenian culture and language classes at the Armenian Relief Society (ARS) Erepuni chapter Saturday school in the Bay Area. Dr. Panossian serves as Treasurer on the board of AHABA.
Jerry Manoukian, MD
Vice president & Treasurer
Dr. Jerry Manoukian is an American Board Certified physician specializing in Internal Medicine. Serving the Silicon Valley community for over 20 years, Dr. Manoukian earned his medical degree from Hahnemann University School of Medicine (now Drexel University). Over the course of his career Dr. Manoukian has held several prominent leadership roles including Chief of the Department of Medicine for El Camino Hospital and Medical Director for Mountain View Healthcare Center. He is currently serving as Chair of the Continuing Medical Education Department for El Camino Hospital and is also a Member and past Chair of the Ethics Committee. He was the chair of the 2005 Armenian Medical World Congress in San Francisco and is past president of the Armenian Medical International Committee. He is chief technician at Tripiano Cellars.
Dr. Jerry Manoukian is an American Board Certified physician specializing in Internal Medicine. Serving the Silicon Valley community for over 20 years, Dr. Manoukian earned his medical degree from Hahnemann University School of Medicine (now Drexel University). Over the course of his career Dr. Manoukian has held several prominent leadership roles including Chief of the Department of Medicine for El Camino Hospital and Medical Director for Mountain View Healthcare Center. He is currently serving as Chair of the Continuing Medical Education Department for El Camino Hospital and is also a Member and past Chair of the Ethics Committee. He was the chair of the 2005 Armenian Medical World Congress in San Francisco and is past president of the Armenian Medical International Committee. He is chief technician at Tripiano Cellars.
Diane Heditsian
Secretary
Diane Heditsian is Founder and CEO of deClarity, a 32-year global life science digital communications consultancy. She begun her career in broadcasting and was the national producer of the syndicated television program, PM/EVENING Magazine. As a volunteer cancer advocate of 18 years she works in research, policy, and directly with newly diagnosed patients. Diane is the newest member of the Board of Directors of the Armenian Healthcare Association of the Bay Area, having joined in 2018. She brings her background and skills in communications and marketing as well as knowledge of drug development, clinical trials and health systems to her work for AHABA. Working with HENARAN Foundation in Armenia, Diane advocates for improved healthcare for those being treated for cancer and for those who have survived it. Diane has been accepted as a member of the Fulbright Specialist Program and following COVID-19 containment plans to carry out a health advocacy project in Armenia. In addition to AHABA, Diane volunteers as an advocate working with both UCSF and Stanford researchers and physicians to expedite medical science discovery in oncology, to advance quality of care and to increase patient participation in clinical trials. Diane is a sought-after national speaker on diverse health advocacy and health policy topics. She is a Phi Beta Kappa graduate of Tufts University.
Diane Heditsian is Founder and CEO of deClarity, a 32-year global life science digital communications consultancy. She begun her career in broadcasting and was the national producer of the syndicated television program, PM/EVENING Magazine. As a volunteer cancer advocate of 18 years she works in research, policy, and directly with newly diagnosed patients. Diane is the newest member of the Board of Directors of the Armenian Healthcare Association of the Bay Area, having joined in 2018. She brings her background and skills in communications and marketing as well as knowledge of drug development, clinical trials and health systems to her work for AHABA. Working with HENARAN Foundation in Armenia, Diane advocates for improved healthcare for those being treated for cancer and for those who have survived it. Diane has been accepted as a member of the Fulbright Specialist Program and following COVID-19 containment plans to carry out a health advocacy project in Armenia. In addition to AHABA, Diane volunteers as an advocate working with both UCSF and Stanford researchers and physicians to expedite medical science discovery in oncology, to advance quality of care and to increase patient participation in clinical trials. Diane is a sought-after national speaker on diverse health advocacy and health policy topics. She is a Phi Beta Kappa graduate of Tufts University.
Mariam Manoukian, MD, PhD
Dr. Mariam Manoukian is board certified in Internal Medicine with a special interest in Endocrinology. She earned her medical degree from Yerevan State Medical Institute, and then completed a residency and fellowship in endocrinology in All Union Institute of Endocrinology in Moscow, Russia from 1983-1988. She defended her PhD thesis in 1988 in neuroendocrinology. She has authored several books including Alpha Plan: Healthy Eating in College and Beyond, Metabolic Syndrome Survival Guide, The Second Life, and On the Other Side of Mt Ararat. She wrote The Sword of Iarsha, a play which was performed for months in Yerevan. Dr. Manoukian has been providing care to the Silicon Valley community for more than 20 years. Dr. Manoukian previously served as the Vice President of AHABA.
Dr. Mariam Manoukian is board certified in Internal Medicine with a special interest in Endocrinology. She earned her medical degree from Yerevan State Medical Institute, and then completed a residency and fellowship in endocrinology in All Union Institute of Endocrinology in Moscow, Russia from 1983-1988. She defended her PhD thesis in 1988 in neuroendocrinology. She has authored several books including Alpha Plan: Healthy Eating in College and Beyond, Metabolic Syndrome Survival Guide, The Second Life, and On the Other Side of Mt Ararat. She wrote The Sword of Iarsha, a play which was performed for months in Yerevan. Dr. Manoukian has been providing care to the Silicon Valley community for more than 20 years. Dr. Manoukian currently serves as the Vice President of AHABA.
Elena Sagayan, MD, MPH
Dr. Sagayan is a graduate of Kubanskaya Medical Academy, in Krasnodar Russia and School of Public Health at UC Berkeley. She completed residency in obstetrics and gynecology at University of Southern California and practices Obstetrics and Gynecology, specializing in gynecological surgery at Kaiser Permanente Livermore. Dr. Sagayan recently became board certified in Lifestyle Medicine. She serves on the Peer Review Committee and Wellness Committee at Kaiser Permanente Diablo Service Area. Since 2014 Elena has volunteered in various women’s health projects in Armenia, and led the pilot study, Barriers to STD diagnosis and treatment in rural areas of Armenia. Elena loves opera and spends her free time traveling with her family. Dr. Sagayan currently served as the president of AHABA until 2022.
Dr. Sagayan is a graduate of Kubanskaya Medical Academy, in Krasnodar Russia and School of Public Health at UC Berkeley. She completed residency in obstetrics and gynecology at University of Southern California and practices Obstetrics and Gynecology, specializing in gynecological surgery at Kaiser Permanente Livermore. Dr. Sagayan recently became board certified in Lifestyle Medicine. She serves on the Peer Review Committee and Wellness Committee at Kaiser Permanente Diablo Service Area. Since 2014 Elena has volunteered in various women’s health projects in Armenia, and led the pilot study, Barriers to STD diagnosis and treatment in rural areas of Armenia. Elena loves opera and spends her free time traveling with her family. Dr. Sagayan currently serves as the president of AHABA.
Ruzanna Ohanjanian, PhD
Dr. Ruzanna Ohanjanian is a California licensed Clinical Psychologist with over twenty years of clinical, educational, and corporate consulting experience, practicing in the San Francisco Bay Area. Dr. Ohanjanian received her Ph.D. in Child Psychology from the National Academy of Sciences (Moscow, Russia) and completed her Post-Doctoral studies in Clinical Psychology at the University of California, San Francisco Medical Center. Her prior academic, clinical, and supervising engagements include the position of Associate Professor at the YSU, as well as positions at the HAP of San Francisco Department of Public Health, Family and Children’s Services (Palo Alto CA), the Outpatient Psychiatry Department of Mount Zion Hospital, UCSF Medical Center (San Francisco, CA). Dr. Ohanjanian is the author of more than 30 professional publications and presentations. She has served in various international professional organizations as a member of the Multi-disciplinary Committee on Cultural Awareness (USCF), the Psychological Intervention Disaster Team, the FEI Behavioral Health Crisis Management Team (US). Dr. Ruzanna Ohanjanian is the President of Irene Gyulnazarian Educational Fund for Armenia (IGEFA) and a member of the Board of Directors of the Armenian Healthcare Association of the Bay Area since 2014.
Dr. Ruzanna Ohanjanian is a California licensed Clinical Psychologist with over twenty years of clinical, educational, and corporate consulting experience, practicing in the San Francisco Bay Area. Dr. Ohanjanian received her Ph.D. in Child Psychology from the National Academy of Sciences (Moscow, Russia) and completed her Post-Doctoral studies in Clinical Psychology at the University of California, San Francisco Medical Center. Her prior academic, clinical, and supervising engagements include the position of Associate Professor at the YSU, as well as positions at the HAP of San Francisco Department of Public Health, Family and Children’s Services (Palo Alto CA), the Outpatient Psychiatry Department of Mount Zion Hospital, UCSF Medical Center (San Francisco, CA). Dr. Ohanjanian is the author of more than 30 professional publications and presentations. She has served in various international professional organizations as a member of the Multi-disciplinary Committee on Cultural Awareness (USCF), the Psychological Intervention Disaster Team, the FEI Behavioral Health Crisis Management Team (US). Dr. Ruzanna Ohanjanian is the President of Irene Gyulnazarian Educational Fund for Armenia (IGEFA) and a member of the Board of Directors of the Armenian Healthcare Association of the Bay Area since 2014.
Arman Danielyan, MD
Dr. Arman Danielyan is a pediatric psychiatrist, practicing in the San Francisco Bay Area. Dr. Danielyan is dual board certified by the American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology in Child, Adolescent & Adult Psychiatry. Dr. Danielyan is a fellow of the American Psychiatric Association. He is also a Distinguished Fellow of the American Academy of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry. Dr. Danielyan graduated with honors from the Yerevan State Medical University in Armenia. He completed his residency and fellowship training in psychiatry at the National Institute of Health in Armenia, where he also defended his thesis in residual organic psychosis. Dr. Danielyan was a co-founder of the Association of Child Psychiatrists and Psychologists of Armenia, which was the first non-profit, non-governmental organization in Armenia, uniting most child mental health professionals. Dr. Danielyan moved to the USA in 2000 to continue his research in the field of pediatric bipolar disorder at the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia. He later continued his research projects at the Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center after completion of his residency and fellowship training in psychiatry, and child and adolescent psychiatry at the University of Cincinnati and the Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center, respectively. Dr. Danielyan moved to the San Francisco Bay Area in 2012. He currently works in private practice in psychiatry in Walnut Creek. He also works as an attending psychiatrist at John Muir Behavioral Health Center inpatient pediatric psychiatric services. Dr. Danielyan is a board member of the Armenian Healthcare Association of the Bay Area
Dr. Arman Danielyan is a pediatric psychiatrist, practicing in the San Francisco Bay Area. Dr. Danielyan is dual board certified by the American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology in Child, Adolescent & Adult Psychiatry. Dr. Danielyan is a fellow of the American Psychiatric Association. He is also a Distinguished Fellow of the American Academy of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry. Dr. Danielyan graduated with honors from the Yerevan State Medical University in Armenia. He completed his residency and fellowship training in psychiatry at the National Institute of Health in Armenia, where he also defended his thesis in residual organic psychosis. Dr. Danielyan was a co-founder of the Association of Child Psychiatrists and Psychologists of Armenia, which was the first non-profit, non-governmental organization in Armenia, uniting most child mental health professionals. Dr. Danielyan moved to the USA in 2000 to continue his research in the field of pediatric bipolar disorder at the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia. He later continued his research projects at the Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center after completion of his residency and fellowship training in psychiatry, and child and adolescent psychiatry at the University of Cincinnati and the Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center, respectively. Dr. Danielyan moved to the San Francisco Bay Area in 2012. He currently works in private practice in psychiatry in Walnut Creek. He also works as an attending psychiatrist at John Muir Behavioral Health Center inpatient pediatric psychiatric services. Dr. Danielyan is a board member of the Armenian Healthcare Association of the Bay Area
Rita Zorian, MD
Dr. Rita Zorian received her medical degree from the University of Montreal and completed her pediatric residency at St. Justine’s Hospital which is affiliated with the University of Montreal in Montreal, Canada. She began practicing as a pediatrician in Princeton, NJ prior to moving to California in 2017. She currently has a practice in Los Gatos, CA as part of Stanford Children’s Health in the South Bay. Dr. Zorian is fluent in Armenian, French and Arabic. She joined the AHABA Board in 2015. In addition to her work with AHABA, Dr. Zorian is an active volunteer in the Bay Area Armenian Community.
Dr. Rita Zorian received her medical degree from the University of Montreal and completed her pediatric residency at St. Justine’s Hospital which is affiliated with the University of Montreal in Montreal, Canada. She began practicing as a pediatrician in Princeton, NJ prior to moving to California in 2017. She currently has a practice in Los Gatos, CA as part of Stanford Children’s Health in the South Bay. Dr. Zorian is fluent in Armenian, French and Arabic. She joined the AHABA Board in 2015. In addition to her work with AHABA, Dr. Zorian is an active volunteer in the Bay Area Armenian Community.
Molly Freeman, PhD
Molly has a PhD in Complex Systems and Distance Learning and is a sociologist currently teaching in the Online MA in Educational Leadership at Mills College, School of Education. Molly has experience in the fields of educational technology, Early Childhood Education, Public Health and Gerontology. She has served on the Advisory Board to Armenian Virtual College and as a member of the AGBU Education Task Force. She and Joseph Matossian live in Berkeley and Ushi, Armenia.
Molly has a PhD in Complex Systems and Distance Learning and is a sociologist currently teaching in the Online MA in Educational Leadership at Mills College, School of Education. Molly has experience in the fields of educational technology, Early Childhood Education, Public Health and Gerontology. She has served on the Advisory Board to Armenian Virtual College and as a member of the AGBU Education Task Force. She and Joseph Matossian live in Berkeley and Ushi, Armenia.
Jack Saroyan, DDS, FAGD, FACD
Dr. Jack Saroyan practiced dentistry in private practice in San Francisco for more than 40 years. He has also served as Assistant Clinical Professor at the University of the Pacific Dental School from 1964-71 and from 2003 to the present. Throughout his career he has contributed to his profession by serving as Editor of the California Dental Association Journal, President of the San Francisco Dental Society, President of the California State Board of Dental Examiners, President of the California Dentist Guild Board and as a member of the board from 1978 to the present. He is also a member of the San Francisco Dental Society, California Dental Association and American Dental Association. Dr. Saroyan has received many professional honors including an American Dental Association Certificate of Recognition for the meritorious service to the people of Armenia. He was named a Fellow of both the Academy of General Dentistry and the American College of Dentists. Dr. Saroyan is a founding member of AHABA and since 1999 he has made numerous humanitarian trips to Armenia to provide dental examinations and consultations for children, clergy and Armenian military cadets. Jack has served his country through the US Naval Dental Corp with two years of active duty and six years of reserve duty, as well as the state of California as Co-Chair of Governor George Deukmejian’s 1982 and 1986 gubernatorial campaigns and his Attorney General campaign in 1978. A native San Franciscan Jack received his undergraduate degree from University of California, Berkeley and a DDS from the University of the Pacific School of Dentistry
Dr. Jack Saroyan practiced dentistry in private practice in San Francisco for more than 40 years. He has also served as Assistant Clinical Professor at the University of the Pacific Dental School from 1964-71 and from 2003 to the present. Throughout his career he has contributed to his profession by serving as Editor of the California Dental Association Journal, President of the San Francisco Dental Society, President of the California State Board of Dental Examiners, President of the California Dentist Guild Board and as a member of the board from 1978 to the present. He is also a member of the San Francisco Dental Society, California Dental Association and American Dental Association. Dr. Saroyan has received many professional honors including an American Dental Association Certificate of Recognition for the meritorious service to the people of Armenia. He was named a Fellow of both the Academy of General Dentistry and the American College of Dentists. Dr. Saroyan is a founding member of AHABA and since 1999 he has made numerous humanitarian trips to Armenia to provide dental examinations and consultations for children, clergy and Armenian military cadets. Jack has served his country through the US Naval Dental Corp with two years of active duty and six years of reserve duty, as well as the state of California as Co-Chair of Governor George Deukmejian’s 1982 and 1986 gubernatorial campaigns and his Attorney General campaign in 1978. A native San Franciscan Jack received his undergraduate degree from University of California, Berkeley and a DDS from the University of the Pacific School of Dentistry
Alec Ohanian
Alec Ohanian is a 4th-year medical student at the UCSF School of Medicine. Alec received an MPH from the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health and a B.S. in Molecular Cell Biology and Physiology from California State University, Long Beach with concurrent minors in Finance and Chemistry. He is involved in multiple projects to improve healthcare quality through research-directed policy change. He is the Healthcare Director of All For Armenia, an NGO that is creating sustainable projects and providing humanitarian aid during times of conflict in Armenia. He is a policy analyst at the KATIL Charitable Foundation where he is working to improve type 1 diabetes care in Armenia. Alec is also part of the Global Oncology research consortium between Stanford, UCSF, and the flagship public hospital in Belize City where they build capacity and improve cancer care through research.
Alec Ohanian is a 3rd year medical student at the UCSF School of Medicine. Alec received his B.S. in Molecular Cell Biology and Physiology from California State University, Long Beach with concurrent minors in Finance and Chemistry. At the UCSF School of Medicine he was the 2020-2021 president of the Global Health Interest Group and Médecins Sans Frontières, and is the founder and president of the Armenian Graduate Society, created in 2020. Alec is actively involved in multiple projects and research related to developing the healthcare of Armenians. He is the Healthcare Director of All For Armenia, an NGO working on multiple fronts to create sustainable projects in Armenia. He conducted research with the Armenian Eye Care Project in partnership with the UCSF Proctor Foundation to elucidate causes of visual impairment across Armenia. He is also conducting a larger epidemiological study in partnership with UCSF with the aim of better characterizing the health of Armenians across the world. With his work thus far, Alec has four publications which are in the fields of developmental physiology, stem cell biology, and health inequities.