Armenian American Medical Association Hosts Gala to Honor Dr. Richard Babayan

193
0

imgres-3CAMBRIDGE, Mass. — On Saturday, April 30, the Armenian American Medical Association (AAMA) honored Dr. Richard Babayan, an active member of the AAMA since 1977, for his significant contributions to the field of medicine and involvement in the Armenian community. The gala appreciation dinner in Babayan’s honor was held at the Hyatt Regency Hotel with 120 guests in attendance.

Musical performances by Shahan Nercessian, Sami Andonian, and Mari Nagahara were enjoyed by all.

Babayan, surrounded by his wife, mother, sister, and children received high praise and salutes from his Armenian and American urology colleagues. Invited speakers included Dr. Aram Chobanian, President Emeritus of Boston University, Dean Emeritus of Boston University School of Medicine; Dr. Michael O’Leary, Professor of Urology, Harvard Medical School and Dr. John Saryan, chairman, Department of Allergy and Immunology, Lahey Hospital and Medical Center, with whom he has collaborated throughout the years.

Dr. Garo Tertzakian, a urologist practicing in California, and a longtime friend and colleague of Babayan, was also in attendance. Tertzakian, who has been actively involved with advancement of urology in Armenia, praised Babayan’s work and achievements. He then presented the honoree a special gift from the Armenian Association of Urology of Armenia. The gift, a St. Gregory of Narek triptych, is a panel painting divided into three sections that are hinged together and can be folded shut or displayed open. This work of art utilizes various medieval techniques. Gregory of Narek was an Armenian monk, poet, mystical philosopher and theologian. Based in the monastery of Narek (Narekavank), he was Armenia’s first great poet.

Babayan, born in Teaneck, NJ, to Kanare and Vigen Babayan, a survivor of the Armenian Genocide, is a nationally and internationally renowned urologist with more than 100 scientific articles in the peer-reviewed literature. He is the chief of urology at Boston Medical Center, Professor and Chairman of Urology at Boston University School of Medicine, and newly elected President of the American Urological Association (AUA). As President of AUA, Babayan will make an official visit to Armenia this fall and will be the guest of honor of the Armenian Association of Urology (AAU) at which time he will initiate a formal relationship between AUA and AAU to make resources available to Armenian urologists in training in order to raise the level of urological care in Armenia.

The AAMA welcomes new members! To learn more, or to view photos from the event, visit www.aamaboston.org

Get the Mirror in your inbox:

Get the Mirror-Spectator Weekly in your inbox: