Ep 203: From Refugee to Physician and Author with Dr. Maryam Sabetian

Dr. Maryam Sabetian was born in Tehran, Iran, into an interfaith family. Her father is a Baha’i, and her mother is Muslim. Like many Baha’i families in Iran, they faced significant religious persecution and discrimination. From the age of seven, Dr. Sabetian knew she wanted to become a physician. She was fascinated by science and dreamed of becoming a source of healing and comfort for people during their most vulnerable moments. Religious persecution, limited opportunities, and financial hardship ultimately forced her family to flee Iran. At the age of ten, they crossed the border into Pakistan with the help of a smuggler in search of safety and a better future. They settled in Islamabad, where they became part of a community of refugees awaiting resettlement. After being recognized as refugees by the United Nations, they applied for refugee visas through the U.S. Embassy. Their visas were approved on September 10, 2001, but were revoked the following day after the September 11 terrorist attacks. They waited another year and a half before their visas were finally reinstated.Dr. Sabetian, her parents, and her younger brother, arrived in the United States at the end of 2002. She was thirteen years old and spoke very little English. Despite the challenges of adapting to a new country and language, Dr. Sabetian remained committed to her dream of becoming a physician. She attended Boise State University, where she majored in Molecular Biology, and later met her husband.  Dr. Sabetian recently published her memoir, Flowers of Kindergarten, which chronicles her childhood in Iran, their escape to Pakistan, and the journey to the United States through the eyes of a young girl. Her hope in writing this memoir is to humanize the refugee experience, increase understanding of Iran and Persian culture, and preserve the memories of her childhood friend, Maryam, whose friendship profoundly shaped her life. In Part 1 of this two-part interview, Dr. Maryam Sabetian shares her remarkable journey from childhood in Iran to building a new life in the United States. She reflects on growing up in an interfaith family, fleeing religious persecution, living as a refugee in Pakistan, and the experiences that ultimately led her to a career in medicine.Topics discussed include: Growing up in Iran and dreaming of becoming a physician  Religious persecution and the decision to leave Iran  Escaping to Pakistan and navigating life as a refugee  The impact of September 11 on her family's immigration journey  Building a new life after arriving in the United States  The role of friendship, family, and community throughout her journey And more!This episode is Part 1 of a two-part conversation. In Part 2, Dr. Sabetian discusses adapting to life in the United States, her path to becoming a family physician, and the inspiration behind writing her memoir, Flowers of Kindergarten.Interested in learning more about my telehealth direct specialty care practice? At AmazVita MD, I help patients optimize weight and metabolic health, harmonize hormones in peri/menopause, and enhance wellness and vitality. Accepting new patients now.Website:amazvitamd.comEmail:[email protected] more about me or schedule a FREE coaching call:https://www.joyfulsuccessliving.com/ Join the Voices of Women Physicians Facebook Group:https://www.facebook.com/groups/190596326343825/Connect with Dr. Sabetian:Flowers of Kindergarten:https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0H3WXQ127