Written by Stephen Scholand, MD, Nuvance Health Global Health Academy Faculty and Founder of Rabies Free World
Part of the growth involved the development of the Thai site centered at Walailak University. Development of a clinical site takes much effort in the initial stages. After two years of work, I invited Majid to Thailand so he could meet the wonderful Dr. Menn along with his faculty and staff. We were looking for official approval to move forward to establish the site. It was a special occasion, as I got to spend time with his wife and daughter Mitra. I remember chatting with Majid about his childhood on the grounds of a Thai temple. There, animals could roam freely – dogs, cats, chickens, even turtles. Somehow the animals "knew"'" the rules: no violence, just peace. It was palpable.
It was there that Majid told me as a child in the mountain villages of Iran, he had a deer that followed him to class every day, waited for the school day to finish, and accompanied him home. I'm sure the deer could see the light in his heart and was drawn to this love and compassion. We all know Majid for the amazing person that he is – and this transcends to the animal side as well.
Majid was always passionate about serving the underserved, shining a light where it was necessary, and working tirelessly towards those goals. He told me once he always wanted to be a virologist, and certainly he delved into the AIDS epidemic in Africa with a burning passion. Subsequently, he worked on the Ebola wards in Western Africa during the 2014 outbreak. I still remember vividly his Grand Rounds entitled "My Heart Burns: 3 Words Form a Memoir" recounting those experiences.
I think of what Majid sacrificed in order to accomplish the things he did. As any parent who works hard in medicine knows, certainly some of those sacrifices are very costly. The practice of medicine was like that, and especially giving to the needs of global health. Those needs are so profound that by definition, part of you is taken away from your immediate family to fill the incredible void.
Majid has inspired us, a new generation in the field of global health. We are his offspring, and must continue the work in earnest to honor him and continue the pursuit of justice and health equity he so strongly believes in.
Although now we say 'goodbye' to Majid as director of the program, we have been given the framework and the tools to carry on. We know some of what lies ahead. At this time, we should lean on each other – to help ourselves through this transition and continue to do our best, in the way Majid showed us.
All the best dear Majid – we will see you.
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