PROVIDENCE, R.I.—Throughout his storied career, Dr. Vahey Pahigian never knew the meaning of retirement.
Nor did he ever relinquish his medical persona: “A patient in need was a patient indeed.”
He practiced his vocation diligently through his 93rd year before death took him Oct. 17 at the ripe age of 95.
In the interim, he was a true friend and caretaker to the Armenian community of Rhode Island and a giant in the profession of women’s health issues.
Often, a tray of stuffed peppers or choreg was just what this doctor’s palate would order. He was the type of guy who could save your life, then laugh with you over a cup of coffee. Beneath the veneer was a humble man who wouldn’t recognize his own prominence if the two were to meet on the street.
He served in the U.S. Army as a field hospital surgeon and was later named chief of general surgery at Women & Infants Hospital. Dr. Pahigian was a pioneer in breast cancer surgery in the state of Rhode Island.
“Legend has it that when he walked the corridors of hospitals, nurses would take a bow as they passed him by,” said Steve Elmasian. “He told me he wanted to stay in the profession forever because he never wanted to stop caring for, treating, and advising his patients. That kept him going until he could no longer walk.”
Among Dr. Pahigian’s patients was Elmasian’s mom, who faced three surgeries. Steve himself was also operated upon by the doctor.
“His hands were as steady as a young intern glued in cement,” Elmasian acknowledged. “Whatever is said about this man in writing or verbally won’t come close to doing him justice. His one regret was that in spite of saving so many lives over the years, he could not save his own wife.”
Dr. Pahigian was married to Elizabeth S. (Champlin) Pahigian, a registered nurse. Together, they enjoyed two children, Beth and Craig, and many happy and proud moments together.
Elmasian recalled the time he called the doctor one Sunday night late with an emergency request, and how he honored it immediately. A prescription was quickly filled and the patient recovered the next morning.
“So many Armenians were his patients, and for good reason,” Elmasian brought out. “He was a small man in physical terms but an absolute giant of a doctor and human being. He will be sadly missed.”
Dr. Pahigian was born in Lowell, Mass., son of the late Mihran and Haiganoush (Boyajian) Pahigian. He attended Lowell High School, the University of Rhode Island, and Tufts Medical School.
He was a United States Army veteran, serving in the Third Army Corps during World War II. Up until his retirement in 2013, he ran his own private physician practice.
“Having been one of Dr. Pahigian’s first emergency patients while he was an intern at Rhode Island Hospital in the early 1950’s, my admiration and respect for him continued through these many years,” said Anahid Varadian. “His compassion and skill as a physician is a testament to his being the best in his profession. The Karentz and Varadian families are very grateful to him.”
The Armenian world of medicine has produced a host of renowned and worthy individuals, along with those who were unsung heroes during the genocide.
Varaztad Kazanjian was the father of plastic surgery. Raymond Vahan Damadian invented the first MR (magnetic resonance) scanning machine. John Najarian developed the practice of organ transplants. Michael Ter-Pogossian invented the PET scan, which revolutionized the understanding of how the brain functions.
More locally, Aram Chobanian is acclaimed for his work in hypertension, while Harvard psychiatrist Edward Khantzian developed the self-medication hypothesis of substance abuse.
Vahey Pahigian belongs in this class of venerable colleagues, though he would hate to admit it. Modesty appeared to be his disciple and he got along just well with it.
Tom Vartabedian
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He was a wise man who never forgot you, he was a wise man who was humble
he was a wise man who understood the meaning of life and love.
Thank you for writing this wonderful article about Dr. Pahigian. I was his student resident and colleague for many years. He always had a smile when he greeted anyone and was the most kind and cosiderate attending physician I have met. A master in the operating room who was available 24/7. He taught us the meaning of compassion, lifelong learning, and excellent surgical skill. His legacy will live on forever via the thousands physicians who had the priviledge of working him.