Memories Tributes
In the Light of His Memory: Moments We Lived with Erfan
Welcome to the Memories and Tributes section, where the cherished moments you’ve shared will be lovingly preserved forever. Here, we honor the stories that connect us and reflect on the beautiful tapestry of our shared experiences with Erfan.
Share your cherished memories «here», where they will be treasured forever.
I first met Erfan during his studies at UCLA in 2013. We were living in the same apartment complex, and fate had it that I would meet his father after more than 20 years, despite having lived in the same neighbourhood in Isfahan all those years. Erfan was a noble, polite, and kind young man, always with a warm and inviting smile. His dreams were vast, not just for himself but for the advancement of science and humanity. His greatest asset on this journey was his hard work and determination, which I had the privilege of witnessing during his all-too-brief life.
I hope that the Erfan Research and Thought Institute becomes a powerful vehicle in continuing his thoughts and aspirations, contributing meaningfully to the nurturing of doctors who are not only knowledgeable but also ethical and compassionate towards themselves and their patients.
Dr. Ramin Radfar
Erfan was a friend and confidant. The entirety of his being buzzed with an intensity of warmth and enthusiasm that is hard to express in words. Erfan was characterized by three salient features – genuine sincerity, commitment to excellence, and unfailing altruism. He fueled the Downstate Department of Surgery’s clinical research program’s momentum as a firmly engaged, efficient, curiously intelligent, humble leader. His age belied his intellectual and emotional maturity.
Erfan was one of the most accomplished residents’ I have encountered over my career. By itself, this may not be especially unique. But the singularity of his accomplishments lay in the quality and context of his achievements – they were not exclusively anchored in his own successes but in the intrinsic and extrinsic growth of his colleagues, friends, residency, lab research, and clinical research programs. He had a forward-thinking reverence, belief, commitment to not only his own tasks but to the larger context in which these tasks operated.
Very few people embody and aspire to Erfan’s degree of hope, compassion, generosity, and respect. Reverberations of his absence echo through the halls of our institution. He was trustworthy and brilliant. Few who have lived long, fulfilling lives could hope to use opportunities to affect the legacy that Erfan has in his short years. He carried and applied himself with the integrity and honor of being his parents’ son. It was my honor to know him and my privilege to carry his memory with me.
Dr. Sherene Sharath
It is extremely emotional and heartbreaking for me to write my memories about Erfan.
I had the opportunity to work with Erfan’s father at the time he was doing his clinical spine fellowship with spine surgery PSC in Louisville Kentucky. He came to America with his family when Erfan was a teenager. Erfan was very polite and respectful with a sense of humor and compassion.
Erfan was a member of the talented and gifted kids program back in Isfahan.
Based on his parents’ discussions with me, we came to the conclusion that the best approach for his education was to start his last year of his high school in the USA to increase the chance of his college acceptance .
He was very astute and smart to attend UCLA for his college.
I spoke with him regularly to see how he was doing and always encouraged him to get involved with research to enhance his chance for medical school.
It was a great day of joy and happiness for his family and me to hear that he got accepted in medical school in Michigan.
He amazingly finished his medical school with honors and got accepted to general surgery residency in New York.
Erfan was very goal oriented, he was planning to do academics and teaching after completion of his residency and fellowship. After a couple of years of residency training, he was accepted to do research at the world known Columbia University. During this period of research, his life was cut short which caused tremendous numbers of medical communities in the USA and Iran saddened and heart broken.
Erfan was a man of character and dignity. I viewed him as one of my children and his success and promotion was mine too.
I truly believed that he could be one of the Iranian American scientist of this century, I am hoping with foundation of Erfan Academia pave the road for many talented, research oriented in the field of medicine and healthcare to make the life less painful for human beings.
Dr. Mohammad Majd
we will always remember Erfan for his unwavering commitment to his patients, his contributions to the medical field, and his unwavering kindness towards his colleagues and friends. He was a true inspiration to us all, and his legacy will live on in the hearts and minds of those he touche.
Jalal
Erfan was the brother that I always wanted, and I am incredibly blessed to have had the privilege of sharing countless memories with him that will remain with me for the rest of my life.
There are too many memories to write down in this entry, but the first one I recall when I think about Erfan is a demonstration of his selflessness and his compassion towards his friends. When I had moved to Cleveland for my residency, I was going through a very difficult time with the transition among other personal matters I was facing. Erfan did not let one day pass by without checking on me, working through some of my issues with me and providing me with a sense of peace after speaking with him. He had a particular way of balancing the emotional with the logical. Despite our conversations, Erfan took it upon himself to surprise me — one afternoon, he texted me, “Hey, open the door.” To my utter surprise, he was standing in front of my apartment and gave me the biggest hug. I was shocked to see him standing there, having taken a day off and flown to see me despite his own difficult transition to New York City. Not only this, but it was Erfan’s birthday the following day. Instead of relaxing, he wanted to check on his little brother and I could not have been more thankful and appreciative of his presence and generosity. It was exactly what I needed.
Erfan was poised to become an incredible academician. His inquisitiveness, research prowess, and ability to work relentlessly were second to none. He was my role model in so many aspects of life that to this day I think to myself, “what would Erfan do? What would he tell me?” His voice echoes in my head, his laugh brings a smile to my face, and the warmth of his presence provides a sense of peace within. There are countless things I wish I could tell him, too many questions I want to ask him, but I know Erfan will always find a way to communicate them to me at the right time. As I sit in this coffee shop (one of our favorite past times), I can’t help but look at the chair in front of me and see him stroking his beard as he ponders something beyond any of our imaginations.
What an honor it was to have spent time with you my brother. Your legacy will carry on through all those who you touched, and now through your Research and Thought Institute. Thank you for shining the light that will pave my path. I hope to make you proud.
Dr. Christopher Kanaan
Erfan and I met through a group at UCLA called Mortar Board Honor Society while we were in college, and I’m so grateful to have known our dear friend Erfan.
He was a caring friend, a mentor, a role model, and a big brother-like figure to me during my days at UCLA. He was always doing important work with such big dreams, and I was so impressed by him. You’d think he would be intimidating with all of his accomplishments, but he had a way about him that made him so approachable. His positivity was absolutely contagious, and he inspired me to not underestimate myself. He taught me to work hard and thank others who have supported you throughout the way.
I remember this one winter night; Erfan and I were both left behind in LA while everyone else left to go home for the holidays. We went to one of the new burger places in Sawtelle called Plan Check to celebrate together and to keep each other company. Even though it has been about a decade now, I still feel the warmth from our conversation. I still say that burger joint is my favorite burger place – and I don’t think it was really the food that made the place special.
Erfan has also introduced me to such vibrant and fun Iranian culture. I remember dancing together to Iranian music on one of our Mortar Board retreats. It felt so festive and out-of-this-world. He also took several of us to a local Iranian restaurant in Westwood one night, and we had the most delicious feast together.
Thank you, Erfan, for all of these memories. I will cherish them and carry them forward for the rest of my life.