ANTELOPE VALLEY - Key Persons

Job Titles:

• Member of the Board of Directors
• Treasurer
• Treasurer View Profile

Abdallah S. Farrukh, M.D., is a board certified neurosurgeon. He is serving a fifth consecutive four‑year term on the board of directors for Antelope Valley Medical Center, where he is also a member of the medical staff. Born in Beirut, Lebanon, Dr. Farrukh is an American citizen who performed a residency in general surgery at Union Memorial Hospital and a neurosurgery residency at Johns Hopkins Hospital, both in Baltimore, Maryland. Dr. Farrukh served as chief of staff at Palmdale Regional Medical Center from 1983‑84 and as chief of surgery at AVMC in 1995. He was chief of staff at AVMC from 1996‑99. Consistently active in the medical community, Dr. Farrukh has presented numerous lectures on a variety of neurosurgery topics at conferences around the U.S.

Job Titles:

• Member of the Board of Directors
• 1st Vice - Chair View Profile

Dr. Krishna is a retired United States Army Reserve Captain. He was a member of the Lancaster West Rotary Club International and a Council Member representing our local chapter of L.A. County Medical Association for many years.

Job Titles:

• Chairman
• Member of the Board of Directors
• Board Chair View Profile

Don Parazo, M.D., is board certified as a family practitioner and gerontologist. He joined High Desert Medical Group in 1987 where he currently holds a variety of leadership positions. A member of the Antelope Valley Healthcare District Board of Directors for many years, he served as chairman for four years and has twice been named Trustee of the Year by the Association of California Healthcare Districts (ACHD). Before coming to California, Dr. Parazo earned a medical degree from Texas Tech University School of Medicine in Lubbock and performed his family practice residency at R.E. Thomason General Hospital in El Paso. After completing medical school, Dr. Parazo was awarded a Naval Health Professions scholarship. He went on to serve our country in the U.S. Military where he held the position of chief of family practice at El Toro MCAS in Santa Ana, California. At that time he also maintained a Family Practice office at Long Beach Naval Hospital. When he left the Navy, Dr. Parazo had reached the rank of Lieutenant Commander. Following an exemplary career in the U.S. Navy, Dr. Parazo shared his medical acumen with students at the reputable Glendale Adventist Family Practice Residency Program, where twice he received the Clinical Teaching Award given to him by the staff. Dr. Parazo is actively involved in the local community as well as in statewide health-related initiatives. He is a member of the California Medical Association, American Association of Family Practice, and American Medical Association.

Job Titles:

• Chief Executive Officer
• Member of the Executive Management Team
• about Us Executive Management Team Chief Executive Officer
• Chief Executive Officer View Profile

Edward Mirzabegian, MHA brings more than 30 years of healthcare and hospital operations experience to his role as Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Antelope Valley Medical Center. Known for being an innovative leader, he is committed to developing and implementing strategic plans that identify and promote best practices. He focuses on cultivating staff and physician partnerships while improving the hospital's operational and financial performance. He returned to Antelope Valley Medical Center (AVMC) as CEO in January 2019, a position he previously held from 2007- 2013 and was chief operating officer for two years before that. During his first term as CEO, Mirzabegian transformed AVMC's financial standing from an accumulated $18 million loss in 2007 to a $24.6 million profit by the end of fiscal year 2010. Between engagements with AVMC, Mirzabegian served as corporate Chief Executive Officer for Avanti Hospitals Healthcare System, a 470-bed system of hospitals in southeastern Los Angeles. He also held the role of Chief Operating Officer for HealthCare Partners IPA, one of the largest provider/IPA companies in New York with 200,000 patients, where he managed 2,200 primary care physicians and 8,500 specialists. Immediately prior to returning to Antelope Valley Medical Center, he was regional Chief Executive Officer for Prime Healthcare Services, which operates 45 acute-care hospitals in 14 states. Here, Mirzabegian oversaw operations and finances for 15 hospitals throughout California while serving as Chairman of the Board for West Anaheim Medical Center and La Palma Intercommunity Hospital, which are both based in Orange County. His impressive career in healthcare leadership has included Chief Operating Officer for Mercy Health System in St. Louis at their St. Mary's facility in northwestern Arkansas; Vice President of Clinical Services at Bromenn Healthcare in Bloomington, Illinois; Vice President of Operations at Centegra Health System in McHenry, Illinois, which included two hospitals and 24 clinics and ambulatory care centers; and Vice President of Patient Care Services at Memorial Medical Center in northern Illinois and Lutheran General Hospital in Park Ridge, Illinois. Mirzabegian earned a Master of Science in Health Administration with a focus in health service administration from the University of St. Francis in Joliet, Illinois. He holds a Bachelor of Science in medical laboratory science from the University of Illinois in Chicago. He is a member of the American College of Healthcare Executives and a Board Member for the Hospital Association of Southern California, where he is a frequent speaker on a variety of healthcare and hospital leadership issues. Mirzabegian has been honored with numerous accolades, including a nomination for the Los Angeles Business Journal's Healthcare Leadership Award, listed as one of LA's Top 500 Influential Leaders, in addition to a nomination for CEO of the Year. He was also included in the San Fernando Valley Business Journal's Top 200 Leaders list, and spotlighted in the LA Times: C-Suite Leadership magazine for his exceptional leadership qualities within the organization and the community. Most recently, Mirzabegian was named by the Association of California Healthcare Districts as CEO of the Year.

Job Titles:

• Chief Nursing Officer
• Member of the Executive Management Team
• NE - BC Chief Nursing Officer View Profile

Job Titles:

• Member of the Board of Directors
• Secretary
• Secretary View Profile

Kristina Hong, NP, has dedicated her career to direct patient care. She joined Antelope Valley Medical Center in 2006 as a registered nurse in the hospital's emergency department and continues to take care of patients as a nurse practitioner with the Antelope Valley Emergency Medical Associates group. Throughout her nursing career she has represented patients as a legal nurse consultant and has served as a liaison between the emergency medical services system and the hospital. She has also served as a pediatric liaison nurse, a pre‑hospital care coordinator, relief charge nurse and fire department nurse educator. Ms. Hong is earned a master's degree in nursing/family nurse practitioner from Maryville University and is credentialed by the American Association of Nurse Practitioners. She also holds a bachelor's degree in nursing from Jacksonville University in Jacksonville, Florida, and an associate's degree in nursing from Antelope Valley College.

Job Titles:

• Chief Financial Officer
• Member of the Executive Management Team
• Chief Financial Officer View Profile

Job Titles:

• Chief Medical Officer
• Member of the Executive Management Team
• Chief Medical Officer View Profile

Job Titles:

• Member of the Executive Management Team
• Chief Information Officer View Profile

Job Titles:

• Member of the Board of Directors
• 2nd Vice - Chair