GLENDALE, Calif. — Glendale Adventist Medical Center announced a new addition to its executive team this morning. Effective May 2, reality TV star Kim Kardashian will spearhead the 515-bed hospital’s efforts to reach out to Glendale’s majority Armenian population. The honorary title for the celebrity will be Vice President for Armenian Relations.
Kardashian, who is part Armenian herself, made international headlines when she joined her husband Kayne West and other family members on a recent visit to Armenia where her party was mobbed by fans and entertained by top government officials. The star has highlighted her Armenian heritage on countless other occasions.
“Glendale Adventist’s administration can think of nobody better fitted for the role of VP of Armenian Relations,” said hospital spokesperson Sam Gregorian. “Kim’s undeniable name recognition fused with her Armenian heritage and her willingness to lend a helping hand to hospitals made her our top pick for the job.”
Kardashian has been applauded for her support of other medical facilities. The magazine Variety is featuring the celebrity in their 2015 Power of Women issue for her regular visits to young patients at Children’s Hospital Los Angeles. Kardashian also donated all the gifts from her baby shower to a hospital in Chicago, her husband’s hometown.
GAMC officials stressed that Kardshian was a particularly appropriate selection for her executive position because of her ties to Glendale itself. The star and her family are frequently spotted in the town and, in 2012, Kardashian even voiced interest in running for mayor of the city. Although this particular challenge proved an impossible feat (you cannot run for mayor in Glendale — it is a role that is rotated through city council members), many remarked that the incident drew more attention to the city and issues of Armenian interest than any amount of policital lobbying ever could have achieved.
“In an ultra-competitive healthcare environment, it pays to go the second mile to make your hospital culturally sensitive and inviting to the public,” said Gregorian. “GAMC is committed to doing just that and we think Kim’s our ticket.”
