On the Town: Armenian doctors honored at dinner

The World Children's Transplant Fund hosted a fundraising dinner on Aug. 11 in Pasadena's Café Santorini Rococo Room to welcome and honor Dr. Gegham Poghosyan, general surgeon, and Dr. David Dallakyan, pediatric surgeon. Both pediatricians are visiting from Armenia for six months of training in pediatric liver transplantation at USC University Hospital and Childrens Hospital Los Angeles.

Glendale Mayor Ara Najarian escorted Poghosyan and Dallakyan to the restaurant and stepped in for some translation duties. According to Poghosyan, Armenian surgeons are not able to perform liver transplants for children or adults but are able to perform kidney transplants. The doctors work at Sourb Astvatsamayr Medical Center in Yerevan, Armenia. Also present was the medical center's director, Dr. Nikaolay Dallakyan, father of David Dallakyan.

"Taking limos and personal jets to visit other clinics," David Dallakyan said about his favorite impressions of Los Angeles.

Also speaking during the evening's presentation was Mark Kroeker, chairman and founder of the World Children's Transplant Fund; and Valerie McCaffrey, chairwoman of the Armenia Committee.

The fund is providing financial assistance for Poghosyan and Dallakyan to receive the highly specialized transplant training. The goal is to educate the visiting doctors on pediatric organ transplantation and management of transplant candidates and recipients. After their intensive training, the doctors will return to Yerevan and use their new knowledge for children in need of organ transplantation.

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A Garden Dinner was held at the Kenneth Road home of Kathy and Kent Lee. A highlight of the evening Thursday was a recipe exchange between those who brought potluck salads and desserts.

Members and guests of the Glendale 2nd ward Relief Society of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints hosting the event included Lorna St. Angel, daughter Robin Bautista and grandson Deacon Bautista.

The Relief Society has contributed hundreds of colorful, handmade quilts for young patients at Childrens Hospital Los Angeles. The patients take their personal quilts home after their stay in the hospital.

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Another potluck dinner, this one featuring chocolate, was held by Founder's Art and Chocolate in honor of Art Day in Glendale. On Friday, guests were encouraged to bring art, food and art supplies and small artwork for the Kids Art Hunt.