Friends of Providence St. Joseph was founded last month at the initiative of His Eminence Archbishop Hovnan Derderian, Primate of the Western Diocese of the Armenian Church of North America. Aimed at educating the community and raising awareness of the God-pleasing mission of Providence St. Joseph Medical Center, the members of Friends of Providence St. Joseph include Dr. Steve Yacoubian, Dr. Shahan Yacoubian, Dr. Raffi Mesrobian, Dr. Hasmik Sarkissian, Dr. Artin Kevorkian, Attorney Sarkis J. Babachanian, Mr. Derik Ghookasian, Mrs. Aida Sethian, Mrs. Belet Shahbazian, Mr. Armen Grigorian, Mr. Vahik Alkhasian, and Mrs. Lucy Tashjian.

The group of prominent physicians and professionals were officially introduced to the congregation at St. Leon (Srbots Ghevontiants) Armenian Cathedral by the Diocesan Primate during the service on the Feast of the Assumption of the Holy Mother of God on Sunday, August 18, 2019.

On September 16, 2019, the Diocesan Primate Archbishop Hovnan Derderian, accompanied by the Rev. Fr. Khajag Shahbazyan, Pastor of St. Leon (Srbots Ghevontiants) Armenian Cathedral and Dn. Harout Markarian, Executive Director of the Western Diocese visited Providence St. Joseph Medical Center. Hosted by the Medical Center’s Foundation Staff and the Burbank Committee Leadership Team, the Primate’s delegation toured the hospital and took part in a presentation highlighting the medical center’s expansion program.

The Primate expressed his gratitude to the medical center’s leadership team for the warm welcome and hospitality. In turn, the board and leadership team expressed their keenness on developing a fruitful partnership between the institutions that emphasizes community awareness and engagement.

At the Primate’s initiative, the Western Diocese of the Armenian Church of North America will host a reception on October 17, 2019, to officially introduce the Friends of Providence St. Joseph to the Medical Center’s Leadership Team.