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Dr. Richards earned his undergraduate degree from UC Berkeley and his medical degree from UCLA. Extending his training, he had the honor of a summer internship with Travis Windsor, M.D. who was a pioneer in electrocardiography (EKG technology). He then completed a 3 year residency in Internal medicine in the UCLA/VA program. His emphasis in preventive medicine and health promotion is in keeping with our practice philosophy.

Youram Nassir, MD, is a world-renowned hematologist and oncologist serving patients at Cancer Care Institute in the Mid-Wilshire district of Los Angeles, California. With 22 years in practice, Dr. Nassir applies his unrivaled understanding of cancer care to the effective treatment of brain, lung, liver, pancreas, prostate, ovarian, breast, leukemia, multiple myeloma, colon, stomach, head and neck cancer, and lymphoma. His multidisciplinary, collaborative approach and persistence have helped save countless lives over the last two decades, winning him recognition within his community and the medical field.

Many people discover their passion later in life, but Dr. Nassir has always been firmly devoted to the science of healing. From the early age of fourteen, he knew he would pursue a career in the medical field. 

His formal post-secondary education began in Canada at the University of Toronto. After completing two years of undergraduate studies, he moved to the United States to finish his degree at UCLA, one of California’s top research institutions. Dr. Nassir’s time at the University of California, Los Angeles, was integral in his future success as an esteemed physician. His passion for the healing arts fueled his studies, earning him acclaim among his peers and educators.

By the time Dr. Nassir graduated magna cum laude from UCLA in 1992, he was well-traveled, steeped in the knowledge of medical research, and eager to continue pursuing his passion for healing. Upon completing his undergraduate studies at UCLA, Dr. Nassir enrolled at the prestigious Cornell University Medical College in New York, one of the country’s most renowned medical schools. Here, he received the highly respected American Foundation for Urological Disease Research Scholarship for his outstanding performance in the program.

Dr. Nassir’s academic career at Cornell University was reaching new horizons when his father was diagnosed with terminal stage 4 prostate cancer. To be near his family during his father’s final months, Dr. Nassir made the difficult decision to transfer his medical schooling to UCLA. As he supported his father through his cancer treatment, he witnessed the vital role that oncologists play in the lives of cancer patients and their families. Through this pivotal, first-hand experience, Dr. Nassir realized his calling in the field of oncology.

After receiving his Doctor of Medicine from the UCLA School of Medicine in 1996, Dr. Nassir continued his medical training as an intern and resident for the next three years at UCLA Medical Center. In 1999, he chose to attend USC Medical Center and Norris Cancer Center as a hematology and oncology fellow, where he completed his hematology/oncology fellowship under the guidance of world-class mentors in both fields.

Dr. Nassir has been in practice for more than twenty years. He currently practices at his private practice, Cancer Care Institute, and is independently affiliated with Cedars-Sinai Medical Center. His success in his field can be attributed not only to his exceptional medical training and unshaken persistence but also to a deep and personal understanding of cancer and patient care.

Dr. Nassir understands that there is no such thing as “standard cancer,” so there shouldn’t be a standard approach to treating the disease. Instead, he takes a highly individualized, collaborative approach to patient care, offering novel therapies that are uniquely suited to your needs and circumstances. 

As cancer is a chronic disease, Dr. Nassir provides long-term care to help ensure the most positive possible outcomes. He has a unique understanding of the disease and stays with you and your family every step of the way, offering therapies, treatments, and dietary advice to help you make guided, well-informed decisions about your care. 

Today, Dr. Nassir’s reputation is widely celebrated in his community. Ratings from his patients and their families consistently spotlight his expertise and unyielding, compassionate approach. He is known as a gifted doctor and a compassionate man who strives daily to deliver hope and save lives.

In regard to his life mission and work, Dr. Nassir notes, “My hope is to continue to improve the quality of life for cancer patients, to turn incurable cancer from a death sentence into a chronic, manageable disease where people can live much longer and have satisfying lives.” Dr. Nassir is fortunate and humbled to have the opportunity to bring hope to cancer patients through individualized care and targeted cancer therapies.

Marina Tovmasian, FNP-C, is an exceptional family nurse practitioner at Elevate Health Group in Glendale, Burbank, and La Canada, California. 

Raised in Los Angeles, California, Marina has been a proud member of the Elevate Health Group team since 2017. She joined the team as a medical assistant, building on her passion for healthcare. 

With a desire to further her education, Marina received her Bachelor of Science in Nursing from West Coast University. She returned to Elevate Health Group as a registered nurse. Working with patients more directly, Marina returned to school to study ways to provide more direct care to her patients. She received her Master of Science in Nursing from Charles R. Drew University of Medicine and Science in Los Angeles, California. 

Marina believes in going above and beyond for her patients at Elevate Health Group. She is dedicated to providing outstanding care to the Glendale, California, community, and surrounding areas.

Narineh Yermian, DO, is an internist practicing primary care at Elevate Health Group, located in Glendale, La Canada, and Burbank, California. 

Dr. Yermian is a Glendale native who completed her undergraduate degree at the University of California Santa Cruz and medical training at Touro University in Nevada. Her residency was completed at the Riverside County Hospital - Riverside University Health System, where she spent her last year as a Chief Resident.

Dr. Yermian is excited to return to the community she grew up in to practice holistic, evidence-based and patient centered care. She is dedicated to integrating lifestyle and preventative measures with advanced medical treatment. She encourages patients to assume control of their health and offers tailored guidance and support to reach their health goals. 

To schedule an appointment with Dr. Yermian or another member of the team at Elevate Health Group, call the nearest office or request an appointment online today. 

Anna Arakelyan, MD, is a passionate and dedicated physician who goes above and beyond for her patients at Elevate Health Group. She is devoted to providing outstanding care for the people of Glendale and Burbank, California, and the surrounding areas.

Dr. Arakelyan grew up in a family of engineers and has always been the curious kind. She was born in Armenia and moved to the United States at the age of 15. Her passion for medicine became evident during her high school years after she started volunteering at local hospitals. She immediately felt that taking care of patients was a gift that she had.

Dr. Arakelyan received her undergraduate degree from the University of California Irvine (UC Irvine), after which she attended Ross University School of Medicine in Barbados, where she earned her medical degree. 

She completed her internal medicine residency training at Desert Regional Medical Center in Palm Springs, finishing her last year at White Memorial Medical Center.

Dr. Arakelyan is always loved by her patients due to the unique connection that she is able to develop with them. Her special interests include preventative medicine, obesity medicine, and addiction medicine. 

Dr. Arakelyan is a true patient advocate. Her oath is to help as many people as possible.

Dr. Arazin Minasian is a Los Angeles native who is dedicated to serving his community through a patient-centered approach. After earning a Bachelor of Science in Molecular, Cell and Developmental Biology from UCLA, he obtained his medical education at Keck School of Medicine of USC. He went on to complete an Internal Medicine residency at the LAC+USC Medical Center, where he combined his passion for health care and working with an underserved patient population. Dr. Minasian believes strongly that an open and honest relationship with patients and their families produces the best individualized and evidence-based care.

Dr Taleen Akopian is a Primary Care Physician, Board-Certified in Internal Medicine. She completed her undergraduate degree at UCLA and medical training at Touro University in Nevada. She subsequently completed her Internal Medicine residency at Huntington Hospital, where she also served as the Chief Resident. Dr Akopian is passionate about promoting a healthy lifestyle, with a focus on preventative care and the management of chronic disease. She aims to establish long lasting relationships with her patients.

Dr Akopian was born and raised in the Los Angeles area and is proud to be serving in the community that she calls home. When she is not working, she enjoys spending time with her family, traveling, exercising, and reading.

Raised in Glendale, CA, Dr. Derhartunian has always had a passion for medicine.  Growing up in the tight community, he spent most of his childhood helping his father at a local pharmacy.  There, he not only learned a vast array of different pharmacokinetics, but also strengthened the bond with the community in which he dreamed of serving.  Dr. Derhartunian's career began in Glendale at R.D. White Elementary School where him and Dr. Tovmassian became instant friends.  He then went on to complete his education at Woodrow Wilson Middle School followed by Glendale Senior High School.  After obtaining a Bachelors in Science in Biochemistry from the University of California at Santa Barbara, Dr. Derhartunian attended Ross University Medical School.  He completed Internal Medicine Residency at NYU-Lutheran Medical Center in Brooklyn, NY.  His main focus in medicine is a preventative approach with a focus on evidence based medicine.

Steven Kamara is a diligent and compassionate physician specializing in internal medicine. Dr. Kamara speaks English, Spanish, Hebrew, Farsi, and Arabic fluently. He attended the Albert Einstein College of Medicine to receive his medical degree and completed his postdoctoral education at the Cedars Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles.

Dr. Kamara treats patients at his private practice in Los Angeles and also takes care of patients in the hospital at Cedars Sinai Medical Center and Olympia Hospital. He is a Medical Director at nursing facilities and also takes care of patients at the nursing home.

Raffi Hodikian, MD, is the CEO and Chief Medical Officer of ChronosCare in Glendale, California. ChronosCare is a leading hybrid healthcare provider that delivers telehealth and in-home medical services to older adults and residents of assisted living communities. With more than 15 years of experience in geriatric care, Dr. Hodikian has cared for patients in hospital, hospice, and home-based settings, recognizing the critical need for coordinated, multispecialty in-home care.

Board-certified in Internal Medicine, Dr. Hodikian earned his medical degree from Chicago Medical School/Rosalind Franklin University of Medicine and Science and completed his residency at St. Vincent’s Manhattan Medical Center in New York City. He is currently pursuing his MBA at Boston University’s Questrom School of Business to advance further innovative healthcare delivery models that improve access, quality, and patient-centered care.

Based in the Pasadena and San Gabriel Valley region, Dr. Hodikian has served as a practicing hospitalist for over 15 years and is the Regional Associate Medical Director for the Southern California Hospitalist Network, overseeing multiple hospitals and leading a team of more than 30 hospitalists.

His leadership experience includes serving as Medical Director for Bristol Hospice, Landmark Health, and Prospero Palliative Care, as well as holding senior hospital roles such as Chief of Staff, Chair of Internal Medicine, and Chair of Peer Review at Foothill Presbyterian Hospital, where he was named Physician of the Year in 2012.

Recognized for his compassionate care and strong communication skills, Dr. Hodikian is dedicated to empowering patients and families through education, trust, and personalized care. His clinical expertise includes chronic disease management, care coordination, and palliative care. Through his work at ChronosCare, he remains committed to improving independence and quality of life for seniors across Southern California.

Dr. Neil Katchman is a board-certified physician specializing in Internal Medicine and Emergency Medicine. He earned his Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine degree from the University of Health Sciences in Des Moines, Iowa, after completing his Bachelor of Arts at Miami University of Ohio. Dr. Katchman has extensive experience in both hospital and clinical settings, including affiliations with Community and Kindred Hospitals across the Los Angeles area. With over four decades of medical practice, he is committed to providing comprehensive care, drawing on his background in internal medicine, emergency medicine, and clinical research.

Joseph E. Pierson, MD began his professional career with undergraduate studies at UC Irvine. He attended medical school at UCLA, then went on to complete his residency at Emory University Grady Memorial Hospital with an emphasis upon Pediatrics and Internal Medicine. He is currently a member of the clinical staff at Southern California Hospital. He is also affiliated with California Hospital Medical Center, Silverlake Hospital, Gardena Memorial Hospital, and many more throughout the Los Angeles area. 

Dr. Pierson is the Medical Director and CEO of Allied Health Solutions Medical Group. In this role, he strives to provide Comprehensive Inpatient and Outpatient Care services for adults and children as well as to provide Women’s health and preventive health care within several communities.

Dr. Pierson's main objective is to develop a broader system of health care, improve the health of the general population, improve healthcare outcomes, and increase efficiency within a Medical Home Model. He strives to develop a robust system through strategic partnerships among physicians, specialists, hospitals, and community health centers.

Outside of his passion for his practice, Dr. Pierson enjoys billiards, traveling, bicycling, chess, and competitive sports.

Teferi Mitiku, MD, FACC, is a board-certified cardiologist in Clinical Cardiac Electrophysiology and Cardiovascular Disease. He specializes in cardiac electrophysiology (EP) and provides the entire spectrum of arrhythmia treatments, including medical therapy, catheter ablation, and device-based therapy. Dr. Mitiku strives to provide compassionate care for his patients at Coastal Cardiology of Orange County in Irvine and Ladera Ranch, California.

Dr. Mitiku earned his Bachelor of Science in molecular cell and development biology from the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), graduating magna cum laude. He went on to attend the David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA, receiving his Doctor of Medicine. 

He then completed his internship and residency in internal medicine at Stanford University Hospital in Stanford, California, before completing cardiovascular medicine and electrophysiology fellowships at Yale New Haven Hospital in New Haven, Connecticut.

He previously served as the Director of Electrophysiology and an Assistant Professor of Medicine in the Division of Cardiology at the University of California, Irvine (UCI) School of Medicine and Wayne State University School of Medicine.

During his academic appointments, Dr. Mitiku enjoys teaching medical students, residents, and cardiology fellows. He was awarded Outstanding Teacher of The Year for three consecutive years and was granted entry into the Gold Humanism Honor Society.

Dr. Mitiku is affiliated with UCI Medical Center in Orange, California, and serves as the director of electrophysiology at Hoag Irvine Hospital in Irvine, California. At Hoag, He was awarded the top quality performer within the Cardiology peer group for 2019 and 2020. He is also a member of the American Heart Association, American College of Cardiology, and the American Medical Association.

He looks forward to welcoming new patients and providing excellent care for those continuing at Coastal Cardiology of Orange County.

Brett Wertman, MD, FACC, is a triple board-certified cardiologist who is widely respected for his treatment and care for patients at Coastal Cardiology of Orange County in Ladera Ranch and Irvine, California.

Dr. Wertman, who twice has been named a Physician of Excellence by the Orange County Medical Association, also leads the Cardiac Rehabilitation Program at Hoag Hospital Irvine in Irvine. 

An Orange County native, Dr. Wertman graduated summa cum laude and with Phi Beta Kappa Society honors in earning his Bachelor of Arts degrees in biochemistry and molecular, cellular, and developmental biology from the University of Colorado Boulder in Boulder, Colorado.

Dr. Wertman then completed his medical degree from the University of Washington in Seattle, Washington, and went on to finish his internship and residency training in internal medicine at Ronald Reagan UCLA Medical Center in Los Angeles, California.

He completed his fellowship training in cardiology and interventional cardiology at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, also in Los Angeles.

Dr. Wertman has authored numerous publications in leading peer-reviewed journals and participated in live case transmissions to national meetings, demonstrating new techniques in the treatment of coronary artery disease and valvular heart disease. 

Dr. Wertman is highly trained in the percutaneous treatment of valvular heart disease, including aortic valve replacement using the Edwards Sapien heart valve system, as well as mitral valve repair using the Abbott MitraClip™ system. He also has significant experience in other novel interventional therapies.

He looks forward to welcoming new patients and offering superior care to those returning to Coastal Cardiology of Orange County.

In Dr. Wertman’s spare time, he enjoys relaxing with his family, traveling, and exercising.

Huy Nguyen, MD, FACC, a cardiologist at Coastal Cardiology of Orange County, has deep roots in Irvine, California, one of the communities the practice proudly serves, along with Ladera Ranch, California.

Dr. Nguyen grew up in Irvine and received his Bachelor of Arts in biology from the University of California, Irvine. 

He then earned a master's in applied physiology and earned his medical degree from Chicago Medical School, one of the graduate schools of the Rosalind Franklin University of Medicine and Science in North Chicago, Illinois. 

Back in Orange County, he completed his internship and residency in internal medicine, as well as his fellowship training in general cardiology, all at UC Irvine Medical Center in Orange, California.

He then moved to New York to complete his interventional cardiology fellowship at Mount Sinai Hospital in New York City, where he was awarded Outstanding Interventional Cardiology Fellow of the Year.

Throughout the course of his training, Dr. Nguyen has given numerous lectures and presentations, and has authored publications in peer-reviewed journals on various topics in both general and interventional cardiology.  

He was involved with and participated in live case demonstrations at Mount Sinai Hospital, focusing on complex coronary interventions.

Dr. Nguyen believes in a patient-centric approach to cardiovascular care and focuses on the collaborative efforts with his patients in optimizing their outcomes.

In his spare time, Dr. Nguyen enjoys spending time with his family, watching movies, playing basketball, and surfing.

Janne Huynh Dewing, MD, is a board-certified physician with over 20 years of experience providing high quality, personalized patient care. Specializing in internal medicine at her Laguna Beach, California, private practice, Dr. Janne has experience preventing, diagnosing, and treating a wide range of acute and chronic conditions. She helps patients address their medical risks and concerns, and take steps towards improving their overall health. 

Dr. Janne completed her undergraduate studies at Cornell University in Ithaca, New York. She then went on to the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) School of Medicine, earning her Doctor of Medicine. After completing her education, Dr. Janne began her medical training at New York-Presbyterian Hospital in New York, where she completed both her internship and residency. 

Dr. Janne has held positions in both patient care and education. After her residency, she held the position of assistant professor of clinical medicine at the Albert Einstein College of Medicine in the Bronx, New York, where she was responsible for teaching evidence-based medicine to more than 70 medical students, interns, and physicians. She also served as an attending physician at Jack D. Weiler Hospital, also in the Bronx. 

As an internist, Dr. Janne helps adults address the full spectrum of their health care needs. She provides personalized health care solutions, including physician grade supplements through Metagenics® and Xymogen®, and specializes in several innovative treatment methods, including hormone replacement therapy and personalized weight loss programs. She also provides several gentle and effective aesthetic solutions like chemical peels, Botox®, and TempSure® Envi.

Dr. Janne’s office has a convenient location on the South Coast Medical Center campus. To schedule your visit, call or use the online booking tool.

After many years of medical practice, my patients have taught me a great deal about what they desire and expect from their primary care physician. I take great pride in practicing in a comfortable, clean, private, state-of-the-art medical office. We are open-minded, empathetic, focused on preventive care and are willing to combine traditional Western medicine with selected alternative therapies to meet our patients needs.