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Mary Sarian the value she placed on higher education Jack Sheen, M.D.
Mary Sarian of Los were reflected in her ability to take classes Dr. Jack Sheen
Angeles, CA passed before noon at UCLA followed by work from of Santa Barbara, CA,
away peacefully in 3-11 pm. This was a very busy yet rewarding preeminent Plastic
her home on May time for Mary. and Reconstructive
28, 2021 after a long After Mary received her bachelor’s de- surgeon, died April 19,
and fulfilling life. She gree, she obtained public health and school 2021, at the age of 96.
was 98. nurse certifications, and worked 27 years as Internationally
Mary was born a school nurse for the Los Angeles Unified recognized for his origi-
March 30, 1923 in Al- School District. During her career as a public nal contributions to plastic surgery, he was
exandretta, just North of Aleppo, Syria. Her health nurse, the five languages she learned regarded as a seminal figure in developing
family included father, Rev. Nerses Sarian, growing up proved useful as she took care the art and technique of nasal surgery. He
mother, Noritza (Bardakjian), older broth- of immigrants from around the world and introduced aesthetic concepts and innova-
ers, Drs. Jirair Sarian and Norair Sarian, and learned a new language, Spanish. Mary’s tive techniques which transformed what
younger sisters, Stella (Balikian) and Suzie career was very fulfilling to her, as she was had been primarily an unrefined reductive
(Phillips). Just weeks after her birth, her fa- able to counsel children and help them procedure into an artful and technically
ther moved the entire family to Damascus, remain healthy. agile operation. He approached the surgery
where he had been called to pastor the Christianity was an integral part of in a precise and nuanced way, focusing more
Armenian Evangelical Church. The small Mary’s life. She was deeply involved in her on balance, harmony and aesthetic details
congregation consisted mostly of destitute church and Sunday school and used her than on size alone.
refugees from the Armenian Genocide, compassion and love for others through- Besides his reputation as a respected
many of whom were living in UN camps out her career. She felt blessed by God and teacher, Jack was renowned as an adept and
and wearing relief clothing from the United always tried to give back to the community masterful surgeon. His surgical technique
States. They would frequently house guests and charity whenever possible. was fast and fluid, with never a wasted or
from outside the city, and surprise overnight Having never married, Mary’s immedi- tentative move. This was attested to by the
visits from strangers were natural to Mary ate and extended family was very important many surgeons who came from all over the
and her family, as there were no telephones to her, and they included her in all aspects world to observe in his operating room.
or electricity at the time. of their lives. Mary was especially close to Jack began his practice in general
Mary attended a Christian elementary her sister, Suzie Phillips, and her three sons, Plastic and Reconstructive surgery in 1964,
school in Damascus and later boarding Albert, Gary (an AMAA Board member), and performing the full gamut of reconstruc-
tive procedures, but gradually limited his
schools in Nebik, Syria, and Beirut, George Jr., as well as her other nephews and practice to his passion, nasal surgery, and
Lebanon, where she learned to speak nieces, all of whom she considered to be eventually, to the most challenging cases.
Arabic, English and French. Mary then went her adopted children. Through the sharing Most of his patients were doctor referred,
to nursing school at American University of life stories and wisdom, Mary instilled in frequently as a last resort.
of Beirut (AUB). Her family encouraged them morals, values and appreciation for In addition to many peer-reviewed
her to receive the highest education she the Bible and its truth. articles, Jack, with his wife, Anitra, wrote a
could attain as a woman in the Middle Toward the end of her life, Mary definitive text on nasal surgery, published in
East, empowering her with a career and expressed her heartfelt conviction that 1977. This was expanded to a two-volume
economic opportunities. 2nd Edition in 1987. Remarkable for a medi-
Mary’s last year of nursing school and she had "ran the race" known as life and cal book, it is still in print.
the years after graduation were very difficult completed all the goals she set out to In 1981, he was appointed as Associ-
achieve. These goals included living a Godly
since both her mother and aunt died, leav- ate Clinical Professor of Surgery, Division
ing her with the responsibility of moving life, being independent and not being a of Plastic Surgery at UCLA. He received an
back to Damascus to take care of the home burden to anybody, attaining the highest added appointment as Clinical Professor of
and raise her younger sisters. Despite this education she possibly could, and pursuing Surgery, Section of Plastic and Reconstructive
tragedy, the family persevered, with the a satisfying career. Mary felt satisfaction Surgery at USC in 1988. Among numerous
older brothers financially supporting the from being able to help others grow awards and honors, he received the Distin-
family. Later, following her sibling’s immi- physically healthy and spiritually mature, in guished Service Award, the highest honor
gration to the United States, Mary and her all walks of her life, from her own extended presented by the Plastic Surgery Educational
father moved to the United States in 1953, family to the members of her church, and to Foundation in 1997, Outstanding Service and
marking a pivotal moment in her life. Upon the children she cared for as a school nurse Contribution Award, given by The American
arriving in Los Angeles, Mary launched for 27 years. Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery in 2000,
her nursing career working at Hollywood A memorial service was held on June and The Distinguished Fellow Award by the
Presbyterian Hospital and then Cedars Si- 23, at the United Armenian Congrega- prestigious American Association of Plastic
nai Hospital. Later, while working at UCLA tional Church of Los Angeles, CA. Dona- Surgeons in 2002. Having practiced in Los
Hospital, Mary received a bachelor’s degree tions in lieu of flowers were designated Angeles for 29 years, Jack moved to Santa
in nursing from UCLA. Her persistence and for Camp Arev.q Barbara in 1993 and enjoyed a busy practice

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