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Missing You: Dr. Maryam Z Farzanegan, RIP

We received the sad news today from Paula Claycomb and Oscar Fernandez that Dr. Farzanegan was struck and killed by a drunk driver in Los Angeles yesterday.  In addition to the biographical sketch below, Oscar adds that Maryam participated in the Budapest Reunion.  

When further details of funeral arrangements and condolences are received, we will update this report.



Here is a biographic sketch in the Stanford School of Medicine:

Maryam Farzanegan, Ph.D.
Clinical Associate Professor of Medical Education,
Keck School of Medicine
University of Southern California

"Dr. Farzanegan's research, teaching, and personal interests focus on policies and programs related to provision of equitable basic services for the world's most marginalized and underserved children. She has 20 years of practical experience working with UNICEF in New York, field offices in Africa and Asia, and the UNICEF Innocenti Research Centre in Florence, Italy. Through her work with policy makers and practitioners worldwide, and through teaching at universities, she has advocated strongly for the rights of the world's most disadvantaged children to health care, education and social protection. Prior to joining UNICEF, she served as Assistant Professor of Occupational Health Sciences at the New York Institute of Technology and as Staff Research Associate in the UCLA School of Public Health. She received her Ph.D. from the USC School of Education in special education with a public health focus."

Link to a set of slides "Poverty & Health of Vulnerable Children" resented by Dr. Farzanegan  at Stanford.

Comment by one of her students in the Global Health Field Study Course:

“I love what Professor Farzanegan stands for,” she said. “Even after years of working in war zones, natural disaster regions and seeing some of the worst of humanity, she is still so hopeful for a better world.”

"The Keck School of Medicine of USC associate professor spent 20 years working for UNICEF before joining USC’s clinical faculty.


Comments

Sree Gururaja said…
Sad news! Maryam was with us last year at our mini NY Reunion- as always she was involved with teaching/ research and had so much going for her. Pity that such a dedicated and gentle person was a victim of a drunken driver.

In Budapest, Maryam was at the railway station everyday where the refugees were housed, meeting with them and proposing Unicef action. I remember Sir Richard and Marta joined her on her visit to the refugees to know first hand about the situation.

I knew Maryam as a colleague and a friend when she was in Programme Division for a short while.
RIP Maryam🙏🏼
Sree
Anonymous said…
This is devastating news as we mourn the tragic loss of our dear friend and colleague. Her joy of life and device will always be remembered.
Pamela Kelly said…
I just learned this shocking and very sad news about Dr. Farzanagan. I was her speaking coach, starting with her taking a public speaking course with me at UCLA Extension, probably 30 years ago, and continuing through the decades. Her life was passionately devoted to the most vulnerable - women and children, who was always in the forefront of her mind and heart. I was blessed with her friendship and with getting to walk with her through her speaking fears, which culminated when she was preparing for a keynote talk at Stanford University. By the time she arrived, the fear had disappeared! The last time I saw her was on April 23 of this year, when she celebrated Shakespeare's birthday with me. I love you, Maryam, and wish you eternal peace.
Anonymous said…
You were a great professor, who taught us life beyond education. We will miss you.
Niloufar said…
As her compatriot, I must add that she was also passionate about Iran and it’s fate with very deep family ties and attachments. She loved Iran deeply and cared for its people. She was an amazing sister and aunt to her loved ones. This is in addition to being a great human being, Unicef staff, Professor, friend etc.

Yadash gerami. Roohash shad.
Mencia Aramburu said…
I was very lucky to de Maryam’s roommate in Florence, where she invited to share her apartment the 4 months I stayed with IRC, even without knowing me. We shared Iranian and Peruvian history and culture, she cooked Iranian for me, I did Peruvian dishes for her. We laughed a lot, held long and deep discussions on our roles in improving children’slives and went for on weekends around., she tried to teach me a traditional dance (I failed), I introduced her to salsa… But mostly we became good friends. I’m missing you, dear Maryam, sweet and generous friend, rest in peace, thank you for being in my life..
What a sad news! I got to know Maryam in 1978, at USC’s Ph. D. program. It was just yesterday and not 45 years ago. Although my major was different from hers which was Special Education, we had many classes together. Maryam was simple, bright, loving and caring. She dedicated her life to help the most vulnerable, kids and women who needed her help the most. Maryam, you will be greatly missed! What a tragic and devastating incident. I still don’t believe you’re not with us Maryam. Dr. Khosrow Sobhe
Gulbadan Habibi said…
Maryam Jan, your loss is a huge tragedy. Life is not fair. Your talents, your humanity, your pleasant personality and your beautiful smiles will be missed by all those who knew you. May you shine among the beautiful stars in our vast galaxy and May you Rest in Eternal Peace, my friend! My condolences to your lovedones! Gulbadan
I just learned about Maryam’s sudden death. I am in shock. She was our neighbour in Florence. We became close friends and kept in contact over the years. We will never forget her generosity, humanity and compassion, her profound intelligence and her gentleness. We will miss her. Condolences to her family.
Nicoletta