Amidst the uncertainty of looming healthcare changes, shortage of primary care physicians and decreasing reimbursement rates, one local physician is not holding back. Dr. Emil Avanes has opened the doors for his private medical practice, Harmony Health MD.

Harmony Health MD, a new medical practice for internal medicine, celebrated the launch of its spacious offices in the Montrose shopping area with a grand opening earlier this month. Over 400 people attended including City Councilman Zareh Sinanyan, City Manager Scott Ochoa, City Clerk Ardashes Kassakhian, Los Angeles County Medical Association CEO Rocky Delgadillo, Anthony Portantino, representatives from Congressman Adam Schiff’s office as well as Supervisor Mike Antonovich’s office.

“We’re excited to be a part of this wonderful community,” said Dr. Emil Avanes, who has practiced internal medicine for the last five years, most recently at Verdugo Hills Medical Associates, an urgent care facility in Glendale.

Dr. Avanes earned a degree in biology at Duke University before graduating from the Chicago Medical School. He completed his training at Harbor-UCLA Medical Center, and currently is a Los Angeles County Medical Association district board member, utilization review committee member at Glendale Adventist Medical Center, and Glendale Community College Health Information Technology (HIT) advisory board member. Dr. Avanes is also active in the community and serves on the board of the Armenian American Chamber of Commerce in Glendale and is a member of the Crescenta Valley, La Cañada Flintridge and Montrose-Verdugo City chambers of commerce. He has been active in the Burbank YMCA since childhood, first as a youth athlete and later as a coach. More recently he has been a guest speaker, addressing the fight against obesity.

“We welcome new patients and accept most health plans,” said Dr. Avanes, who is fluent not only in English, but also in Armenian and Spanish.

Harmony Health MD is located at 3600 N. Verdugo Rd., Suite 202 in Glendale.  Contact the office at (818) 369-7470 or visit the website at www.harmonyhealthmd.com.