Naming a Street after the Founder of Pediatric Oncology in Iran

On the occasion of the National Day for Physicians, the street sign of Professor Parvaneh Vossough has been submitted through a special ceremony on August 24, 2015.

The ceremony was held with the presence of Dr. Seyed Mohammad Hadi Ayazi, deputy minister and the chairman of the Head Quarter for the Social Determinant of Health in the Ministry of Health and Medical Education and representatives of Tehran Municipality along with MAHAK’s board of directors and trustee’s members, medical team and MAHAK children with their families.

Araseb Ahmadian, the CEO of MAHAK, after welcoming the audience and acknowledging the National Day for Physicians, stated: “MAHAK has held two conferences on Pediatric Oncology in 2006 and 2014. In the first one, with respect to Professor Parvaneh Vossough, many specialists and colleagues came to MAHAK from all over the globe. Last year at the second conference, that was held in memory of Prof. Parvaneh Vossough, her absent was quite tangible. We are planning to hold this biennial international conference regularly.”

Mr. Ahmadian continued: “Knowledge, commitment and medical ethics were legacies of prof. Vossough. By adhering to these ethics, nowadays, her students are capable to care for the children who are suffering from cancer. MAHAK deeply believes in these ethics and tries to perform in this framework by being committed to its main principles that are accountability, appreciation, integrity and transparency. By continuing her path, we wish to bring health and happiness for children with cancer and their families”.

Prof. Mardawig Alebouyeh, Chair of MAHAK Medical Council and a member of MAHAK’s board of trustees, after paying tribute to the National Day for Physicians and providing a brief history about MAHAK’s hospital, stated: “The presence of Prof. Parvaneh Vossough in the early stages of the establishment of MAHAK hospital encourages many of her colleagues and students to cooperate with this organization. Today, MAHAK hospital offers the highest specialized services to children with cancer in accordance with the world standards”.

Dr. Seyed Mohammad Hadi Ayazi, deputy minister and the chairman of the head Quarter for the Social Determinant of Health in the Ministry of Health and Medical Education, commemorated the National Day for Physicians and said: “Before the establishment of MAHAK, the Ministry of Health and Medical Education was facing various issues in treating children with cancer. Today, this issue has been resolved with the help of MAHAK and this organization is now a pioneer in treating the children with cancer in Iran and even Middle East. The most valuable fact is that the organization is established base on public trust and support”.

He added: “if we want to solve the treatment problems, it is better to benefit from civil capacities. The name of MAHAK shines among the NGOs and other organizations that are providing treatment and support services to the public. I really look forward for a day when no patient has to be concerned regarding his/her treatment costs.”

Mojtaba Shakeri, member of the Islamic City Council of Tehran, while honoring the memory of the Prof. Vossough, said: “We should acknowledge the Iranian successful individuals because they have built an identity for future generations which has resulted in setting up a beautiful and promising future for their country. We are here to represent the city with its all competencies and identities by acknowledging those who have contributed to their country. MAHAK’s Services is indeed one of these competencies that should be always acknowledged.”

Behrooz Rezayi, mayor of district No. 1 of Tehran, stated: “Great Physicians such as Prof. Parvaneh Vossough help the patients to focus on their treatment stages without any concern by developing a spiritual relationship with them. It is our great honor to have named the streets of our city after such great people. We hope to enhance more public capacities by cooperating with charity organizations and NGOs such as MAHAK.”

Dr. Azim Mehrvar, Head of MAHAK Hospital, recalled Prof. Parvaneh Vossough and happy continued: “I thanks’ God for being the students of Prof. Vossough and learning great philanthropic lessons from her in addition to medical sciences. All the doctors at MAHAK are indeed proud of themselves because they have no financial affairs with their patients and they merely think about their health without any financial expectations.”

This ceremony was held in the National Day for Physicians for the appreciation of Prof. Vossough, the founder of pediatric oncology in Iran and the previous chair of MAHAK’s board of trustees. After this ceremony, the name of Jannat Street in DarAbad district of Tehran was changed to Prof. Vossough Street. This was proposed by Tehran Municipality and was accepted by the Islamic City Council of Tehran.

Prof. Parvaneh Vossough, M.D., one of the foremost global authorities in pediatric oncology and the chairperson of MAHAK’s Board of Trustees, 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.

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.

Prof. 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”. She passed away on May 19, 2013 at the age of 78. To many, Prof. 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.

MAHAK believes that with your kindness and support, the path of Prof. Parvaneh Vossough will be taken permanently and children suffering cancer will be able to say goodbye to cancer and continue on with their sweet childhood days.