Glendale Adventist Medical Center

Glendale Adventist Medical Center has named an interim chief executive as they search for a permanent replacement for Morre Dean, who left his post Friday to head Parker Adventist Hospital in Colorado. The hospital this week announced that Warren L. Tetz, senior vice-president of operations, will temporarily take over as Glendale Adventist conducts an executive search for a permanent replacement, Tetz has worked at Glendale Adventist, which was founded in 1905, for more than a decade.

Love was in the air at the luncheon for the Founders Guild of Glendale Adventist Medical Center. The hospital's auditorium was standing room only on Valentine's Day. Upon checking in, every guest received a Swarovski crystal necklace, heart-shaped of course. A silent auction allowed visitors more opportunities to part with their money for charity. Harp music performed by Duquessa McGuffin accompanied a buffet lunch of heart-healthy chicken, rice and kale. Dessert was strictly decadent - red velvet cupcakes.

Volunteers who together gave more than 77,000 hours of time to Glendale Adventist Medical Center were recognized earlier this week at the annual Volunteer Service Awards Luncheon. The 622 volunteers were thanked at the event Tuesday in the hospital’s auditorium, said Liz Mirzaian, director of volunteer and senior resources at the medical center. “It is really one of the ways we show recognition to people who have dedicated their time and service to the medical center,” she said.

“Imagine you’re driving at night in rural California, say on your way to Mammoth, and you come across an accident, and the victim needs to get to the nearest hospital,” said Bruce Nelson, community services director at Glendale Adventist Medical Center. “Do you know where the nearest hospital is?” Chances are it’s not too close, Nelson said. And most likely, the closest hospital is a rural facility with limited resources, perhaps with one physician who, late at night, is only on call.

After more than three years of construction, Glendale Adventist Medical Center's West Tower was unveiled to the public during a ribbon-cutting ceremony on Sunday. Glendale Adventist President Morre Dean and Mayor Ara Najarian cut a red ribbon with an oversized pair of scissors as dozens of visitors cheered and applauded the grand opening of the new building. "This is a showcase for us to promote healing and wellness," Dean said during the ceremony. "We think we have the opportunity to become a beacon of light."

GLENDALE — Children who have the misfortune of visiting the new emergency department at Glendale Adventist Medical Center after it opens in April will have a group of ladies to thank for a fun distraction. The Soroptimist International Club of Glendale handed over a $10,000 check to the hospital officials Thursday to help pay for a dedicated children's play room in the hospital's new $118-million Acute Patient Tower. "They needed this facility to be built and it was just fortunate timing that we got it," club President Lou Rhodes said.

Sandy Doughty credits her parents for instilling the value of volunteerism. ?As a child, I learned that you get a lot from giving to others,? said Doughty, a Glendale resident. Simple acts of kindness have always been a part of her family?s way of giving to the less fortunate, she said. ?My parents encouraged me to pick out a Christmas gift and give to a needy child in Mexico,? said Doughty, 46. ?I remember leaving suitcases full of clothes for needy cousins.? It was only natural for Doughty to continue what her parents taught her. For more than 20 years, Doughty has served on the Glendale Adventist Medical Center gala committee.

June 9 will be a day to focus attention on the issues of cancer survivorship It is the day Glendale Adventist Medical Center will host its annual cancer survivors luncheon, which celebrates life and hope. The event will be from 11:45 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. on Friday, June 9 in the hospital's main auditorium at 1509 Wilson Terrace. The event will feature Linda Armstrong-Kelly, mother of cancer survivor and seven-time Tour de France champion Lance Armstrong. In 1996, Lance was diagnosed with Stage 4 testicular cancer.

A 26-year-old man was arrested Tuesday after he and two other men allegedly beat up his neighbor outside a fast food restaurant and stole his iPhone 4, police said. Edvard Zograbyan, who was reportedly on probation for felony theft, was booked on suspicion of the May 1 robbery outside Burger King in the 1200 block of East Colorado Street, according to Glendale police. The neighbor told police he had gone to a nearby gas station to buy a pack of cigarettes and was walking back when he was suddenly punched, knocked to the ground and kicked.

GLENDALE ADVENTIST MEDICAL CENTER Glendale Adventist Medical Center seeks volunteers for Senior Way Finders to help seniors get daily walking exercise. Volunteers will receive free training, uniforms, parking and meals. For more information, call (818) 409-8057. DOCTORS' HOUSE MUSEUM The Glendale Historical Society is seeking volunteer docents at the Doctors' House Museum, at 1601 W. Mountain Ave., Glendale. Volunteer docents sign up to give tours through the Victorian house for two hours once a month.

A 26-year-old man was arrested Tuesday after he and two other men allegedly beat up his neighbor outside a fast food restaurant and stole his iPhone 4, police said. Edvard Zograbyan, who was reportedly on probation for felony theft, was booked on suspicion of the May 1 robbery outside Burger King in the 1200 block of East Colorado Street, according to Glendale police. The neighbor told police he had gone to a nearby gas station to buy a pack of cigarettes and was walking back when he was suddenly punched, knocked to the ground and kicked.

Dozens of firefighters were trying to get the upper hand on a brush fire in Glendale Friday afternoon as it threatened canyon homes and wrecked havoc on nearby freeways. Evacuation orders were issued for homes in the 500 block of Solway Street. Traffic into Chevy Chase Canyon was closed as water-dropping helicopters attacked from above. [Update: As of about 4:20 p.m., the fire had grown to 75 acres, according to the city. No injuries were reported as of 4:20 p.m. and no structures had been damaged.

Bras, bras and more bras were the order of the evening on Saturday. More than 300 supporters packed a ballroom in the Hilton. The Glendale Soroptimists offered that special uplift for their 10th annual "Bras for a Cause. " This year's theme was "A Decade of Giving. " The evening's proceeds, as in past years, will be given to the breast cancer services departments of Glendale's three hospitals - Verdugo Hills, Glendale Memorial and Glendale Adventist. Soroptimist President Gayle Craig kicked off the program after a reception allowing guests to view and bid on the decorated bras - each of which were in the running for a Bra Award.

A Glendale firefighter was punched in the jaw Sunday after he and his crew tried to help the mother of a 28-year-old man with psychiatric issues, police said. The man, Keristo Andresian, was arrested on suspicion of battery and released to staff at Glendale Adventist Medical Center for treatment, according to police. Andresian's mother called about 12:06 p.m. for an ambulance, but canceled it while fire was en route, police said. When firefighters arrived, Andresian was reportedly seated inside a vehicle and honking the horn.

A new water feature at Glendale Adventist Medical Center was blessed by Archbishop Hovan DerDerian of the Western Diocese of the Armenian Church of North America on Thursday. Most of the funding for the new water feature came from J.R. Abbott Construction, which built the hospital's west tower, completed in 2007. PHOTOS: 'Living Waters' waterfall dedication at Glendale Adventist The feature, called “Living Waters,” creates a calming, comforting and healing environment and is designed to help patients and visitors during stressful times, according to hospital officials.

Love was in the air at the luncheon for the Founders Guild of Glendale Adventist Medical Center. The hospital's auditorium was standing room only on Valentine's Day. Upon checking in, every guest received a Swarovski crystal necklace, heart-shaped of course. A silent auction allowed visitors more opportunities to part with their money for charity. Harp music performed by Duquessa McGuffin accompanied a buffet lunch of heart-healthy chicken, rice and kale. Dessert was strictly decadent - red velvet cupcakes.

Local hospitals and health care professionals agree they need to better integrate mental and physical care to address Glendale's most pressing health needs. For the Community Health Needs Assessment focus group, which meets once every three years, the most pressing public health issues affecting Glendale include obesity, smoking cessation, high blood pressure and diabetes. At a meeting Mondayof more than 30 representatives from local stakeholders - including Glendale Adventist Medical Center, Glendale Memorial Hospital and the Verdugo Hills Hospital - the city's most urgent health problems were discussed in terms of integrating services to have the highest impact.

A 19-year-old Glendale man has filed a claim against multiple Glendale police officers who he alleged beat and choked him during an arrest at Palmer Park. Christian Geris is seeking $13,668 for medical expenses, which he claims were the result of traumatic injuries suffered during the alleged assault. Several calls to his attorney, Arthur Barens, were not returned as of Thursday. Given that the city had just recently received the claim, City Atty. Mike Garcia said he declined to comment on the matter until had he more time to review it. Geris was arrested July 2 when police said he allegedly refused to allow a body search for narcotics and fought with them.

Thousands of roses, gerberas and irises have yet to go on Glendale's Tournament of Roses Parade float, but for several weeks, hundreds of volunteers have been carefully applying dry materials such as spices, seeds and bark on the 35-foot-long craft. The flowers won't go on until a few days before the annual parade in Pasadena, but before then there's still much to do, said Councilman Dave Weaver, who also organizes the float's decoration. “There's a whole kit and caboodle that will have to go on,” he said, adding that hundreds of students - from Glendale to Alhambra - have helped on the project so far. Glendale's floats have had a tough run in recent years.

The 83-year-old man who died Monday after being struck by a minivan in Glendale was identified this week as Kourkin Anouchian. Los Angeles County coroner's officials on Thursday said his body was scheduled to be examined soon to determine the nature of his fatal injuries. Anouchian, a Glendale resident, was pronounced dead at Glendale Adventist Medical Center after the collision at Broadway and Maynard Street. Anouchian was walking about 4:10 p.m. in an unmarked crosswalk at the intersection when 40-year-old motorist Sana Hussein failed to stop and struck him with her minivan, Glendale police said.