Q&A with Dr. Vicken Sepilian: Infertility and Polycystic Ovary Syndrome
27/04/2018 06:00am | 6104 viewsWhat is Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS)?
PCOS is common hormonal condition that effects up to 10% of women who are of reproductive years. It is characterized by abnormal ovulation, elevated androgens (hormones that typically should only be high in men), and appearance of multiple small cysts in the ovaries. Prior to the diagnosis of PCOS being made, other conditions that may cause these characteristics should be examined and ruled out.
About the Author
Dr. Vicken Sepilian is known to many as a respected physician, a civic leader, a philanthropist and an educator. For many years he has enthusiastically volunteered his time, skills, and knowledge to promote health and quality of life of the community around him.
Dr. Sepilian is a Reproductive Medicine specialist and is board-certified in Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility, as well as Obstetrics and Gynecology. He is the founder and director of American Fertility Specialists Medical Group and has been in practice in Los Angeles since 2006. Dr. Sepilian has been recognized for his outstanding patient care for which he has received several awards from professional and consumer organizations, including “Top Doc” in Southern California designation by Pasadena Magazine, “Super Doctor” in Southern California designation by Los Angeles Magazine and as “America’s Top Ob-Gyns,” by the Consumers’ Research Council of America for several years in a row. He has been the recipient of the “Patients’ Choice Award,” voted by his patients for the past five years in a row. In 2015, he received the prestigious Independent Physician Leadership Award from the Los Angeles County Medical Association. Dr. Sepilian has also been selected to receive the Ellis Island Medal of Honor in May, 2018.
Since 2006, Dr. Sepilian has been an active member of the Armenian American Medical Society (AAMS) based in Los Angeles, California serving as the President from 2009 to 2013. Under his leadership, the organization enjoyed great success, nearly doubling its membership to become the largest organization of Armenian healthcare professionals outside of Armenia. Passionate about education, in 2008, Dr. Sepilian launched a weekly TV program with the aim to educate the community on important and relevant health topics. Hosted by Dr. Sepilian, this program makes house calls to tens of thousands of viewers and serves as a dynamic resource for viewers and focuses on preventative care and healthy lifestyles. In 2010, Dr. Sepilian, along with the former Mayor of the City of Glendale, and several other civic leaders, founded the Glendale Health Festival. Serving as the Chairman of the organizing committee, Dr. Sepilian worked closely with city officials, local hospitals, and other entities to organize this large-scale event with the aim to improve the health of the community. Today, this festival continues to attract thousands of individuals and serves the healthcare needs of numerous uninsured and underinsured individuals by providing health exams, screening tests, vaccination and consultations with healthcare professionals, all free of charge. In 2013, Dr. Sepilian served as the Chairman of the 11th Armenian Medical World Congress. Taking place in Los Angeles, this quadrennial multi-specialty conference brought healthcare experts from all over the world and was very well attended.
Dr. Sepilian has also been active with various charitable projects internationally, providing educational activities and helping train physicians worldwide. Dr. Sepilian is one of the founding members of the Aragil Foundation, along with the First Lady of the Republic of Armenia, Mrs. Rita Sargsyan. Launched in 2011, this non-profit foundation has been providing assistance for fertility services and promoting public and professional education programs to improve the state of reproductive health in Armenia. As of March 2017, this foundation has provided nearly 900 in-vitro fertilization treatment cycles resulting in the birth of more than 400 children all free of charge. Dr. Sepilian also helped launch the AAMS’ Juvenile Diabetes Education Program, which provides intensive lifestyle and nutritional coaching to children with diabetes and their family members. This program has been credited with reducing the complications from juvenile diabetes in Armenia. In 2012, Dr. Sepilian led the AAMS to collaborate with colleagues in Canada to support and equip a free women’s health clinic in Artsakh, the only one of it’s kind in the region. In June of 2017, Dr. Sepilian was elected the president of the Armenian Medical International Committee, a nonprofit organization with chapters in twelve cities around the world. The aim of the organization is to coordinate global efforts in improving healthcare in Armenia.
Locally, Dr. Sepilian is a graduate of Loyola Marymount University and a proud member of the university’s alumni board of directors. He loves spending time with his family and believes that success and wealth is measured by life’s experiences and positive human interactions. Cherished memories include debates about life with Dr. Jack Kevorkian, delivering pens to students in remote villages in Sri Lanka and teaching chess to orphans in Nepal.