Author: Babken Chilingarian

BY SAREEN HABESHIAN

Podcasts have been around for over a decade, and for those who live in cities where traffic is a way of life, they are a lifesaver.

“Podcasts are like your own private radio station. You can just click and listen to conversations that interest you,” said Salpi Ghazarian, director of the Institute of Armenian Studies.

The USC Institute of Armenian Studies has three podcast series already, and has plans for several more.

“Our purpose is to make scholarship accessible, to present and benefit from the scholarship that addresses national and global challenges. So, now, everyone can listen to scholarly content in their car, or while they get ready for the day, or make dinner,” added Ghazarian.

“I listen to many podcasts on my commutes and runs/hikes. I am so happy that this podcast series is made. It helps me learn so much about my country through the different guests they have!” Rmughnet commented on iTunes.

The current three series are Unpacking Armenian Studies, The Quake (about the 1988 Spitak earthquake) and the Innovate Series.

Ghazarian hosts Unpacking Armenian Studies— a series of conversations that seek to humanize Armenian Studies, make it more accessible, and show it for the broad, varied field that it has become.

The podcast is home to interviews with academics, journalists and policymakers in the field of, and on the fringes of, Armenian Studies. It seeks to understand, and make accessible, conversations about who these scholars are, what they do, and why it matters.

From the Deputy Foreign Minister of Karabakh, Armine Aleksanyan, whose work depends on the breadth and scope of Armenian Studies to Rober Koptas, head of Aras publishing in Turkey, whose work contributes directly to Armenian Studies by publishing works in Turkish, the Unpacking Armenian Studies show hosts unique and diverse guests.

“Finally there is a good podcast on Armenian Studies!” commented Sarmen Boghos on iTunes.

In The Quake, the Institute’s Chitjian Research Archivist Gegham Mughnetsyan relives the days immediately following the powerful Spitak earthquake that devastated the Northern region of Armenia and his hometown of Gyumri on December 7, 1988. Mughnetsyan was a child at the time, and recounts the shock and its consequences both personal and global. He delves into the challenges that complicated the region’s recovery process, that became the focus of geopolitical tensions, and that buried the future and promise of an entire generation.

“I enjoy listening to this on my way to work, interesting for anyone interested in Armenia and Armenian studies,” wrote NarbehtheCat on iTunes.

The Institute’s newest podcast is the Innovate Series, where listeners can hear selections from talks presented at Innovate Armenia over the years. Innovate Armenia, the festival of ideas and action, is where scholars and thought-leaders from around the world challenge assumptions and offer new perspectives, too good to miss.

“Love your podcasts!!! They are very educating and, inevitably, quite practical!!!” Julieta Harutyunyan posted on Facebook.

Find the Institute’s New Roads channel on iTunes and on USC’s website.

Established in 2005, the USC Institute of Armenian Studies supports multidisciplinary scholarship to re-define, explore and study the complex issues that make up the contemporary Armenian experience—from post-genocide to the developing Republic of Armenia to the evolving diaspora. The institute encourages research, publications and public service, and promotes links among the global academic and Armenian communities.

Anna Hakobyan, spouse of the Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan, and Serj Tankian, lead singer of the popular band System of a Down, highlight a remarkable evening of giving.

LOS ANGELES—The Armenian Medical Society and its community of supporters gathered at the Sheraton Universal Hotel on April 6 to celebrate the work of the organization and honor the achievements of two extraordinary individuals–Anna Hakobyan, the spouse of Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan and musician and activist Serj Tankian.

Hakobyan, who is a noted journalist as well as the board chair for City of Smile was the keynote speaker of the evening and spoke about the importance of having the capabilities to provide comprehensive, state-of-the-art cancer treatment for children afflicted with cancer in Armenia, and to receive this care regardless of the family’s ability to pay.

Hakobyan noted that in less-developed countries, such as Armenia, cancer is often equal to a death sentence, but with proper treatment and resources, it can be overcome.

“We are gathered here today to support these children,” said Hakobyan.

“Together we can fight for every child with cancer and it is our obligation to not let them lose the fight due to lack of resources. City of Smile Foundation was established to change their lives, to move them in a positive direction, and to bring a smile to the face of these children and their families. We are starting it by saving one smile at a time. Tonight, there are hundreds of people present which means so many people are standing by the sides of these children and their parents and giving a piece of hope and a hand of support,” added Hakobyan.

Armenian American Medical Society President, Armond Kotikian, DDS, MD, FACS, was thrilled with this year’s response to the need. “Our partnership with City of Smile created an opportunity for our organization to make a real and meaningful impact the lives of children suffering from oncological and hematological diseases in the heart of Armenia,” he said. “Seeing how so many people opened their hearts to the foundation and generously gave so that these children can receive the care they so desperately need was truly remarkable.”

Serj Tankian, singer, poet, songwriter, visual artist, activist, composer and the voice of System of a Down, was honored with the AAMS lifetime achievement award. Humble in his acceptance, Serj noted the importance of working together to provide the basics for students, patients, veterans, and the most disenfranchised in the homeland. “We need to find more ways to help organizations, such as City of Smile, reach their objectives in our new, free, independent, and hopeful Armenia,” remarked Serj.

Vicken Sepilian, MD, AAMS board member and former AAMS president was the event’s Master of Ceremonies. His enthusiastic appeal for donations on stage helped spur attendees to make donations throughout the evening, boosting the event’s total proceeds. “The AAMS has touched all of our lives in one way or another, through one of its many programs that elevate the health of our community, in the United States, and in our homeland,” said Dr. Sepilian. “Tonight, our members and friends have touched the lives of Armenian children with cancer and their families. Their generosity exceeded our expectations.”

The evening’s entertainment was provided by The Armenian Pops Orchestra, under the direction of Greg Hosharian, noted composer, conductor, and musician, who played a variety of selections throughout the evening. The crowd was also treated to a dance by the Zvartnots Dance Ensemble.

“The Armenian American Medical Society is grateful to our members, friends, and sponsors who made this event so special and so successful, said AAMS Gala Chair, Kevin Galstyan, MD, FACOG. “Through their support, City of Smile is that much closer towards realizing its goal of helping children in Armenia with cancer to conquer their disease. It was also an honor to celebrate Mrs. Hakobyan and Serj Tankian, whose humanitarian work is so closely aligned with the mission of our organization. We couldn’t have asked for a better evening.”

The sold-out event featured a cocktail reception, dinner, and an evening of music and dancing, while raising funds for City of Smile – an Armenian foundation based in Yerevan, Armenia, that provides support to children with cancer and hematological diseases.

The AAMS is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization and presently has over 500 members from around California whose areas of practice cover the entire spectrum of allied healthcare. The AAMS 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 AAMS is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME), ensuring that AAMS members maintain their competence of new medical knowledge through Continuing Medical Education activities to improve quality care for patients and their communities.