Two Minutes With …

This question-and-answer feature will help you get to know some of the faculty in the Cedars-Sinai Department of Surgery.

Karen Zaghiyan, MD, colorectal surgeon

Where did you grow up?

I grew up in Glendale, a Los Angeles suburb with the second-largest Armenian population in the world. My family and I moved there after immigrating to the United States in the 1980s. My parents and brother still live there, and I spend much time in Glendale on the weekends with my husband, kids and extended family at the local parks, restaurants and the Americana at Brand.

How would your best friend describe you to someone who doesn't know you?

Goofy. I'm incredibly serious and focused at work, but quality time with some of my closest and oldest friends typically includes laughing hysterically about the silly things we would do in our teens and college years. I'm not afraid to embarrass myself!

What is the funniest thing a patient has ever said to you?

In my line of work, you can only imagine the number of inappropriate jokes I hear. I have plenty of punchlines and comebacks myself. My favorite is:

Patient: "Doctor, I wanted your opinion on my recent sleep disturbances and nightmares."

Me: "OK, do you have a colon, rectal or anal problem? Shouldn't you be seeing a psychiatrist?"

Patient: "Oh, aren't you an analist?"

If you could spend the day doing one thing, what would it be?

Absolutely nothing! I'd lounge around the house with my husband and kids. Maybe take a walk to the park or horse around some more at home. Then I'd put the kids to sleep early, and finish the night with takeout and a movie with the hubby — and fall asleep on the couch watching it!

Is there something or someplace you have never seen that you would like to see soon?

This list is really miles long, but traveling outside the United States with a 5-year-old and an 18-month-old is impossible. However, a few on the top of the list are Greenland, Bali, an African safari and Tokyo. In the more immediately feasible realm, the list would include Sequoia National Forest, Disney World and maybe a family cruise.