[1] In a letter to his wife, the first prime minister of Armenia, Hovhannes Kajaznuni, described Khatisian as a person with "inexhaustible energy and a strange ability to work".

Adding that "he has entrepreneurship (initiative), strong nerves, he understands issues quickly, he has a lot of administrative experience.

able to adapt and find the middle line … he is the most valued member of my cabinet today, unfortunately he has no moral authority, does not inspire faith and confidence in his personality, and this greatly hinders the work.

He first studied at a state school in Tiflis, then received his training as a doctor at universities in Moscow, Kharkov and Germany.

During this period Count Illarion Ivanovich Vorontsov-Dashkov consulted with him, Primate of Tiflis Bishop Mesrop Der-Movsesian, and prominent civic leader Dr. Hakob Zavriev about the creation of Armenian volunteer detachments in the summer of 1914, which Khatisian enthusiastically supported and organized.