Med School/Year Graduated: Iran University of Medical Sciences & Health Services, 2003
Years in Practice: 18
Health-care-associated infections are part of your practice. What are the most common ones? Are there any steps people can take to avoid them?
We call the most common health-care infections the “big five” – those associated with catheters, ventilators, surgical sites, central-line infections and, finally, Clostridioides difficile, known as the “C. diff,” which stem from antibiotic resistance. If I am going to give one piece of advice to people, it would be to use antibiotics judiciously and only when they are truly needed to prevent C. diff.
You specialize in HIV/AIDS medicine. What have been the most promising recent advancements in that field?
Long-acting injectable HIV drugs are replacing daily pills. These medications offer infrequent dosing, which improves adherence, preserves viral suppression, reduces stigma and offers a more discreet, durable approach to both HIV care and prevention.
It’s commonly known that Valley fever has a higher-than-average incidence rate in Arizona. Are there other infectious diseases that give our state particular trouble – or any you foresee?
In our local health-care settings, we are currently experiencing a higher rate of carbapenem-resistant infections than the national average. These are highly resistant bacteria that essentially lock the doors on our traditional medicine cabinet, making treatment extremely difficult. However, the most urgent fire alarm for me is the return of measles. This isn’t just a local issue; it’s a national signal that our herd immunity is slipping, and we must act now.
You went to medical school in Tehran! What are your favorite Persian dishes? Any local restaurant recs where readers can find them?
My favorite dishes are ghormeh sabzi – which is essentially edible Persian art – and, of course, nothing beats a great Persian koobideh (kebab). The Persian Room on Scottsdale Road is the place to go.
What do you enjoy doing in your spare time?
I’m most likely with my wife, Laila, who has been my greatest support and partner every step of the way. We share a passion for the outdoors, from summer trail runs and hikes to winter ski trips.
What shows are you streaming these days?
Lately, I’ve been watching Shrinking, but the last show I watched and really liked was The White Lotus.
“If I wasn’t a doctor, I’d be…”
A carpenter. Carpentry gives you a sense of closure: There is a clear beginning, a middle and an end. It is as simple as that.
