Dr. Assassi, please tell us about yourself.

First, I would like to thank the Iranian American Medical Association (IAMA)-Javaan board of directors for this opportunity.

I was born in Tehran, Iran, where I went to elementary and middle school in 1980s. Like many of my generation, I left Iran at a young age while my parents stayed behind. My journey took me first to Turkey. I was only 13 years old at that time and had to basically manage life on my own. Two years later, I went to Germany, where I completed my high school education at a boarding school in Alzey, a small town south of Frankfurt. I learned to speak and write German and maneuvered through the German educational system. In addition to those challenges, I had to deal with difficult visa and immigration situations. That experience taught me early on how visa rules and arbitrary decisions by immigration officers can determine a foreigner’s life. I was able to overcome those difficulties only with the support of my extended family and friends who were willing to the see the human side of my journey, regardless of our differences in appearance, language, and background.

What is your medical specialization, and where are you studying and practicing?

After graduating from high school, I went to the University of Freiburg in southern Germany to obtain my medical education. I also completed multiple clinical and research rotations in Iran, Switzerland, and the United States, all of which were valuable experiences for me, during my studies. I immigrated to the United States in 1999 and began my postgraduate training in internal medicine at the University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston. I then completed a fellowship in rheumatology at that university.

I joined the faculty of the Division of Rheumatology and Immunogenetics at the University of Texas at Houston in 2005, where I have been involved in various clinical, educational, and research activities. My research activities were funded first by an American College of Rheumatology Clinical Investigator Fellowship Award and then by a National Institutes of Health K12 Career Development grant. My research focuses primarily on using genetic and gene expression data to identify predictive biomarkers for systemic sclerosis and ankylosing spondylitis.

Which of your accomplishments are you most proud of?

I am not sure whether I can identify a single accomplishment that I am most proud of. I have tried to create a balance between my professional, personal, charitable, and community service activities. As one can imagine, that can be a challenging task. Occasionally, I feel that I have met that challenge, and this gives me a sense of joy and fulfillment.

How long have you been an IAMA-Javaan member?

I have been a member of the IAMA since 2000 and a member of the IAMA-Javaan since 2006.

Tell us about the IAMA chapter in Texas. Describe what you have gained as a member, what you have accomplished, and programs (eg, scholarship, fundraising) that you have supported.

I have been a member of the IAMA Texas chapter board of directors since 2004. I served as vice-president for 2 terms (from 2005 to 2008) and am currently the president of the IAMA Texas chapter, which is one of the most active in our organization. All our accomplishments are the result of a close collaboration between our members and the board of directors. We have expanded our member services in recent years. In addition to an annual gala, we organize lectures on ethics, continuing medical education, and continuing dental education; the Nowruz luncheon; and various industry-sponsored lecture series. We also publish a monthly patient information article on medical topics in the Asheghaneh magazine. Furthermore, we hold an annual mammography screening event in collaboration with Excel Diagnostics, and we offer screenings for levels of blood glucose, lipids, thyroid-stimulating hormone, and complete blood count in collaboration with the Hermann Memorial Health System in Houston, Texas. We published our first member directory this spring and hope that it will both facilitate communication among our members and serve as a patient referral base. In addition, we assist, to the best of our ability, Iranian-American international medical graduates in finding observership opportunities. Our student committee is very active and holds quarterly social and education events. Last but not least, we have a scholarship fund for Iranian-American students who are enrolled in healthcare-related fields in Texas.

How have the IAMA Texas chapter and the IAMA-Javaan helped you in your education and career, and which insights have you gained that other members can benefit from?

I have become acquainted with many Iranian-American healthcare professionals at IAMA and IAMA-Javaan events and have interacted with them at a professional as well as a personal level. I have few family members in the United States, and therefore I am very thankful to the IAMA for creating this sense of community among Iranian-American professional and students.

I have also gained valuable experience through my volunteer work for the IAMA Texas chapter board of directors. Nonprofit organizations have their own dynamics, and each requires a different approach. To advance our mutual common cause, we must remain patient and optimistic. Every member has his or her own strengths, weaknesses, and unique expectations from the IAMA. At times, progress can be slow, but the main issue is that we are moving in the right direction. Involvement in the IAMA and other nonprofit organizations such as the Pendar Book Club and the Iranian Cultural Foundation in Houston has taught me a set of important interpersonal and organizational skills.

How do you envision the future of the IAMA Texas chapter and the IAMA-Javaan?

I believe that the chapters and sections of the IAMA will be successful only if they are responsive to the true needs of their members. Those needs can change over time, and their identification is one of our tasks. We have already improved communication among our members by improving our use of electronic media.

Our members may not have extensive experience in community-based activities. We must be patient and persistent. Members of our community will become increasingly involved in IAMA activities if we respond to their true needs. Furthermore, we must improve our fund-raising ability, because we cannot expand our services without proper financial resources. The democratic process and transparent leadership in our organization are critical elements that will safeguard the active involvement of new members and produce an influx of new ideas and skill sets.

The IAMA-Javaan is focusing on 2 constituencies: 1) Iranian-American healthcare students and young professionals who grew up in the United States and 2) Iranian international medical graduates. Those 2 groups have similar as well as divergent interests and needs. I think that both groups are looking for a sense of community, which the IAMA-Javaan can provide. Both groups need help from more senior IAMA members with regard to career development, but that need will differ among individuals. Both groups should be well represented in the IAMA-Javaan. Furthermore, a close collaboration with the IAMA central chapter and local chapters will be crucial in the long term. We should expand our collaboration with the student committees of local IAMA chapters and the IAMA national board of directors. Last but not least, we should facilitate the transition of IAMA-Javaan members who have graduated into IAMA memberships when the predefined postgraduate time is over.