Shortly after Dr. Mohamad’s wife underwent treatment for breast cancer, his then-4-year-old son asked a question that caught him off guard: “Since my mother breastfed me, am I going to get cancer?”
For the pediatric oncologist, that question taught him a lesson he’s carried throughout his life: Meet people where they are, and when you can, give them what they need.
“Sometimes people – especially children – come to you with questions that you never expect,” Mohamad says. “You have to be prepared to answer in an honest way that they can understand.”
Now 93, Mohamad has spent a lifetime caring for others. Born in Tehran, Iran, he came to the United States after medical school and built a distinguished career in New York. Along the way, he learned that some of life’s most important lessons revolve around adapting to those around you.
Respect people who are different from you
Mohamad believes one of the keys to building connections with people is learning to appreciate different perspectives.
“Everybody thinks differently,” he says. “But rather than getting frustrated by those differences, I try to understand them. Tolerance is very important.”
That mindset has served him well throughout a life that has spanned cultures, countries and generations. Whether interacting with colleagues, patients, friends or family members, Mohamad believes respect begins with listening and honesty, even when we might disagree.
“If I don’t know something, I tell them I don’t know,” he says. “If I want to make someone think, I’ll listen to what they have to say first so I know where they’re coming from. You can’t change someone’s mind in five minutes.”
For him, humility is an essential part of building connections and helping others. No one has all the answers, Mohamad says, but everyone deserves to be heard.
Give what you can
Mohamad believes that connecting with people makes it easier for us to be of service to them, whether through charitable giving, mentoring younger people or supporting his community. He has even helped found new schools for children back in Iran.
That generosity helps him stay positive and believe that the world is moving, gradually, toward good.
“I try to keep the positive and ignore the negative,” he says. “And I’m hopeful, because I see we are progressing every day.”
Throughout his career, Mohamad has cared for children facing serious illnesses and supported families through difficult moments. Those experiences reinforced his belief that compassion and kindness can have a lasting impact.
“Generosity doesn’t require extraordinary wealth or resources,” he says. “Just a willingness to contribute in whatever ways you can. If you can help somebody, help them.”
In celebration of Atria’s 30th anniversary, we’re sharing Pearls of Wisdom from the wisest people we know – the residents in our senior living communities, who have navigated every chapter of life. Visit AtriaPearls.com to browse an archive of their advice and gather even more wisdom.
You might also like
Want to learn more about life at Atria Senior Living?
