Ara Festekjian, MD, MS

Director, Quality Improvement
Attending Physician
Assistant Professor of Clinical Pediatrics, Keck School of Medicine of USC

Though born in Beirut, Lebanon, Dr. Festekjian has spent most of his life in California, except for 4 years of medical school on the East Coast. He is in his 5th year attending at CHLA, serving as the Quality Improvement Director within ESQUIRE.

He has had experience in basic sciences and translational research. His current research interest includes Hand Off Communication, Rapid Response Activation Risk Factors, delayed diagnoses of Appendicitis, and Effectiveness of Septic Shock Protocols. He moderates the Divisional Morbidity and Mortality conferences, and represents the Emergency Department in Hospital wide Quality Improvement Committees.

Dr. Festekjian spends most of his time with his wife and son and enjoys running, biking, and eating plenty of good Armenian food.

Clinical Interests

Pediatric septic shock, pediatric arrest, infants with cardiopulmonary disease

Education

Medical School

University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey/Robert Wood Johnson Medical School

Internship

Children's Hospital Los Angeles, General Pediatrics

Residency

Children's Hospital Los Angeles, General Pediatrics (Chief Resident)

Fellowship

Loma Linda University Medical Center, Emergency Medicine

Accomplishments

Certification

Pediatrics - American Board of Pediatrics
Pediatric Emergency Medicine - American Board of Pediatrics

Memberships

American Institute of Ultrasound Medicine

Research

  • Quality Improvement
  • Pediatric Septic Shock
  • Hand-off communication

Research Studies

To find out which of two commonly used IV fluids given in the Emergency Department for sepsis is most effective.