It is with great sadness that AAHPO notes the passing of Dertad Manguikian, MD, who passed away on November 17, 2023. Dr. Manguikian was very active in the Armenian community on a national and international basis and often rendered medical care for Armenian patients within the tristate area that AAHPO serves.

An ophthalmologist in the Washington DC/Virginia area, Dr. Manguikian’s care was sought after by many in the Armenian community. He played a key role in saving the sight of some of the most complex cases, often accompanying his sickest patients to “super specialist” visits and guiding them through the myriad of medical challenges they faced.

“His care, compassion, and dedication were exemplary and an inspiration to us all,” noted AAHPO President Lawrence V. Najarian, MD, also an ophthalmologist.

Dr. Manguikian is survived by his wife, Seta; children Tina Arda Manguikian, Andre Levon Manguikian (wife Jessica Barsamian) and Alex Dertad Manguikian (wife Jill Ford); grandchildren William Dertad Manguikian, Fiona Antaram Manguikian, Andrew Levon Manguikian and Alexander (“Zander”) Dertad Manguikian; and brother Bedros Manguikian. He is preceded in death by his brother, Arshak, and sister, Yeran.

Dr. Manguikian was born in Aleppo, Syria to Yervant and Ardemis Manguikian. Despite his parents having been displaced by the Armenian Genocide and subject to difficult circumstances, Dertad experienced happiness as a child with the love and friendship of his siblings Arshak, Yeran and Bedros as well as all his extended family and cousins. Love and loyalty to family was a tenet of his character and persisted throughout his life. The young Dertad Manguikian was known to be playful and even a bit mischievous. As a child he loved to play soccer, ping pong and backgammon.