Blog Archive

Telehealth: The Advantages of Telemedicine Feb 20th, 2024

The COVID-19 pandemic has triggered dramatic changes throughout everyday life — and in the medical community as well. Not only are providers across the country postponing elective procedures, but many are also encouraging people to avoid in-office appointments to reduce their risk of exposure to this highly contagious coronavirus.But what...

What the ADHD!?!?! Apr 30th, 2021

​Ten years ago, if you had a patient come to see you for "ADHD", there was always a suspicion in the back of your mind that this person you were about to see has some alternative drug-seeking motives. You weren't a good clinician unless you entertained the full depth and...

Is our Healthcare System working for you? Apr 4th, 2020

Ok today's rant will be about the broken system. However let's refer to it as it is, and not with our euphemisms--the pathetic piece of putrid fecal matter of an illness promotion cartel system. Yes, how do you really feel, Emil? I'm angry because in the midst of this crisis,...

Positive and Interesting things about Covid-19 Lockdown Apr 3rd, 2020

Dear Harmony, yesterday was a big rant so let me focus on the positive and interesting today.1. One of our patients was discharged from the hospital yesterday. Yay!!!2. Aram is a superstar and having him at HHMD is a huge relief!3. This ship would stall without Evana's undying devotion to...

The space suit comes out at Drive-Thru Covid Clinic Apr 2nd, 2020

Something about this jump suit makes it irresistible to wear. When the heck would I have the opportunity to wear one of these costumes and casually stroll down the street without feeling like there are 15 eyes on me at all times?!? Never! It's almost as if Covid-19 has brought...

Shout out to Dr. G Mar 30th, 2020

I wanted to take this opportunity to say a few words about someone who has been a newer face here at HHMD. From the minute he joined, it was been a blessing because he works hard and always has a smile on his face. He inspires me to be better...

Aram and Emil Covid Photo Mar 26th, 2020

It was a momentous day at clinic today, as the inevitable finally went down--we had two patients test positive for Covid-19. The patients who came a few days ago are in good health and spirits and their symptoms have not gotten worse as was my fear in relaying the bad...

If you are seeing "Stay Home" but not feeling well, what to do? Mar 25th, 2020

Hi all, another busy day at the clinic. So far we haven't had to see patients in the morning but these next few days may be an inflection point. A number of the patients we saw today were coming in because they were exposed to someone who has tested positive....

Interesting case at HHMD Drive-Thru Covid Clinic Mar 24th, 2020

Today was an interesting day to say the least. A few not-so-fun facts: 160 people died in the US of Covid-19 vs 100 yesterday; NY Governor, Andrew Cuomo asked FEMA for 30,000 ventilators and received a whopping 400; and finally, at this very moment, there are 60 patients hospitalized at...

Drive-Thru Covid Testing at HHMD Mar 23rd, 2020

Hi all, I wanted to update you that the first day of our drive-thru went smoothly. We had a just the right number of patients come in. I'm not sure how the other drive thru's are running their show, but at our practice, there's an intake portion where vital signs...

The Reality of Physician Suicide Apr 15th, 2019

Article about Dr. Steven Ortiz (1966-2017) This is a sad part of the job. We forget that physicians are actually humans too. On an average day, they are dealing with 20-30 patients in the office who may have a variety of significant health problems, 20-50 patients calling in with questions,...

How much Technology is Enough Technology? Apr 3rd, 2019

By now, everyone has an amazing Amazon story that defies all rules of reality. You purchased an expensive part, realized it was the wrong item, and the company sent you the right one free of charge. You returned a set of headphones and were refunded for the cost immediately before...

A Case for Concierge Mar 20th, 2019

Is it really true that no press is bad press??? Let's put it to the test! Recently we had an online complaint that bears further comment as a critical part of the healthcare discussion. In essence, Chloé has beef with the fees of a concierge program (OUR concierge program...). If you...

Heart Attack Anyone? Part DEUX! Feb 22nd, 2019

As we approach the end of American Heart Month, ask yourself a simple question: “What have I done to improve my heart health this month?” Hopefully, you can list off 5-10 actions you took in honor of cupid’s month for those in your circle who actually like having you around....

Breathe. Believe. Receive. Feb 11th, 2019

Some of you more familiar with the Harmony family will observe a striking resemblance between the gentleman pictured above and yours truly. If you are so astute, give yourself a pat on the back, that’s my dad! A few days ago, when nearly half of Los Angeles fell ill from...

Heart Attack Anyone? Who is next??? Jan 25th, 2019

You all know the numbers by now, right? 1 in 4 deaths in the United States is from Heart Disease 790,000 people have a heart attack in the United States every year--75% of these being first-time offenders 200,000 heart attack deaths are PREVENTABLE every year, the majority of these in...

"I feel like I got hit by a truck" Dec 29th, 2018

Right. It bears repeating. If you hear someone utter, “I feel like I got hit by a truck, bus, plane, or any other large-sized vehicle or object,” do not allow their words fall on deaf or dawdling ears. Seek medical attention, and immediately! And in case your idea of immediately...

Happy Birthday Harmony, The Daisy Anniversary Jun 10th, 2018

Can you believe it was five years ago today that Harmony opened its doors?!? It would be another 2 weeks before we saw our first patients--a pair of grade-school siblings who are now in Florida and a stealy-haired gentleman who has since moved to Camarillo. The nostalgia of those good...

A New April 24 Apr 24th, 2018

#engage #empower #enrich Growing up an Armenian in the Diaspora, one appreciates the gravity of April 24th early on in life. This, the date that a large number of Armenian intellectuals and leaders were heartlessly wrenched from society and slaughtered as the inception event of the Armenian Genocide in the year 1915...

Harmony's Big Move Apr 11th, 2018

Harmony's Big Move summarizes the move from 3600 down to 3217 and introduces the new company vision Happy Hump Day Harmony! This entry marks a new beginning for #hhmd. As y'all know, we moved from 3600 to 3217 N Verdugo last year, but one of our prized possessions remained at the...

Hands-on CPR Dec 15th, 2016

Last week a 37-yr old female slumped down at home in front of her family and turned blue in the face. Her mother called 911, CPR was started, and the lady was brought back from the dead in the ER. Today, she’s being discharged home all thanks to one thing:...

Emergency Department Angst Dec 15th, 2016

Tonight, one of my close relatives sliced his index finger through to the bone with a hand saw, and ended up in the ER. After evaluation by the PA, his case was discussed with the hand surgeon, who requested his admission for a flap operation in the morning. With my...

Opioid Epidemic Dec 15th, 2016

It’s 2016 and ENOUGH is ENOUGH! It’s time that the public start to fight back against Pharma companies that take advantage of them and the government agencies that act as their enablers. In 2001, if Joint Commission came to your hospital and found that patients were complaining of pain without...

Compassion Dec 15th, 2016

Why I chose healthcare…Some people ask why I spend so much time “working”? The answer is simple, because it’s not work when you love what you do.Today I experienced something that goes beyond any teaching in a book.From time to time I have the privilege to go rounding with Dr....