In Honor of Professor Parvaneh Vossough

Prof. Parvaneh Vossough, M.D., one of the foremost global authorities in pediatric oncology and the chairperson of MAHAK’s Board of Trustees passed away on May 19, 2013 at the age of 78.

Prof. Vossough was born in 1935 in Tafresh, Iran.  She joined the faculty of Medicine of Tehran University in 1961 where she received a doctorate degree in medicine.   Subsequently, she completed her specialization in Pediatric Oncology at the Medical Sciences department of University of Illinois from 1962 to 1964.

Her relationship with MAHAK started from the very beginning, initially as a volunteer associate director. After her formal retirement, she became the chairperson of MAHAK’s Board of Trustees and later, she assumed the additional responsibility of becoming the chief physician of MAHAK hospital. Throughout her many years of service, Dr. Vosough functioned as a dedicated volunteer without ever collecting any compensation.

The effort Prof. Vossough exerted in establishing the Pediatric Hematology and Oncology ward in Ali-Asghar Hospital, which led to the establishment of comparable departments in various hospitals, acts as a groundbreaking work among her greatest success stories in the field of cancer treatment and has left as a legacy extremely difficult to match.

Prof. Vossough was an active member of various medical societies, including the International Society of Pediatric Oncology (SIOP), International Network for Cancer Treatment and Research (INCTR) and Middle East Children’s Cancer Alliance (MECCA). She also published more that 100 papers in different medical journals.

Dr. Vossough dedicated her life and career to those in need of her care, expertise and wisdom. She was often called the “guiding light and angel of MAHAK.” To many, Dr. Vossough was a true, living saint and one of the greatest women of our time. Her passing is a big loss to MAHAK family. No doubt her legacy and spirit will live forever within the walls of the organization.

There are no goodbyes for us as she will always be in our heart.

May her memory and a fulfilling life of humanitarian devotion give us comfort and direction.