Operation Mend

Operation Mend Champions

Operation Mend Supporters at 2024 Veterans Day Parade

Welcome to our Operation Mend Champions page. 

This page features our affiliated team members, key buddy families, clinical and administrative areas, and veteran and military partnerships.

Champion. Noun. cham·​pi·​on. ˈcham-pē-ən : A militant advocate or defender. One who supports or promotes the interests of a cause or group.

Affiliated Team Members

Administrative Partners

  • Richard Azar, UCLA Health Chief Operating Officer
  • Steve Cohen, Senior Executive Director, UCLA Resnick Neuropsychiatric Hospital

Medical Directors

  • Christopher Crisera, Co-Executive Medical Director, Plastics
  • Kodi Azari, Co-Executive Medical Director, Orthopedics
  • Sharon Hame, Medical Director, Orthopedics
  • Christopher Giza, Medical Director, Neurology
  • Bruce Kagan, Medical Director, Psychiatry
     

Medical Physician Team

  • Jae Jung, Pain Management
  • Meeryo Choe, Neurology
  • Kevin Bickart, Neurology
  • Walter Dunn, Psychiatry

Key Buddy Families

  • Susie and Bob Bagdasarian
  • Anne and Vic Bartholetti
  • John Credell
  • Debbie Frutkin and Wayne Tashjian
  • Marilynn and Richard Garcia
  • Kara and Jamie Horowitz
  • Kathryn and Tom Iannucci
  • Kleid/Graham Family
  • Laura LaCorte and Andy Reif Family
  • Linda and Chris Mansolillo
  • Lisa and Jimi Phillips
  • Sasha and Jay Schellenbaum
  • Jim Williamson
  • David Zelaya

UCLA Health Clinical and Administrative Areas

Tiverton House

  • Diana Ghaly
  • Holly Ianieri
  • Megan Long
  • Andreea Pop

Health Sciences Development 
and Donor Support

Transportation

  • Pablo Rivas
  • Yancy Gonzalez
  • Yanira Gomez
  • Mahire Ahmed
  • Johnny Cadena

Veteran and Military Partnerships

Veteran Honor Bears

  • Eva & Ralph Murphy

United Students for Veterans Health (Game Night)

  • Kaemin Tosasuk
  • Sahil Haridas
  • Anthony Imani
  • Christiana Prekopa
  • Pranav Kadiyala
  • Chloe Castro
  • Sai Ramadas
  • Pooja Ramadas

Magic Show

  • Dr. Alan Chien, Magician

Petersen Automotive Museum

  • Anna Song
  • Belinda Padilla

Battleship USS Iowa

  • Mark Seigle
  • Mike Nguyen

Natural History Museum/LaBrea Tar Pits

  • Catherine Fox
  • Jaqueline Estrada

Aquarium of the Pacific

  • Russ Hill
  • Kianna Gigali

UCLA Recreation (Operation Mend Family Camp)

  • Tiffany Cote