Volume 7 • 2020 • Issue 3

Dr. Farhad Niknam was born in Tehran, Iran, in 1975. His mother was a nurse, and his father was a teacher. An interest in biology, chemistry and medical science led him to study experimental science in high school. In university, he did a six-year dentistry program in Tehran, where he was often the top student in his class. After graduation, Dr. Niknam worked in multiple dental clinics in Tehran and rural areas. He often had long shifts, sometimes working until midnight, because oral health care was so lacking in underserved, rural communities. Dr. Niknam owned his own dental practice for 15 years. Dr. Niknam married his wife, Mojgan, in 2006. The couple had their first child in 2013. The family immigrated to Canada in 2015 and lived in Winnipeg, where their second child was born. In 2016, the family moved to Toronto, so that Dr. Niknam could attend licensing preparation courses. The recertification process in Canada took several years and he travelled to Iran every few months to work and study. Finally, in December 2019, Dr. Niknam finished his exams and fulfilled his requirements. He officially received certification on January 7, 2020. At the time, he was visiting family in Iran. “I didn’t personally know Dr. Niknam before this tragic incident,” says Dr. Reza Termei, president of the Iranian Ontario Dental Association, “However, I learned more about his great personality after listening to the eulogies given by his friends, colleagues and family. I believe we should all take Dr. Niknam as a role model in our lives. He has certainly inspired me to live in the moment and to love without reservation. Sadly, he lived a short life, but his positive attitude, kindness and caring will forever stay alive in people’s hearts and minds.” Dr. FarhadNiknam: Dentist fromToronto Mansour Pourjam: Dental Technician fromOttawa “He had an infectious personality; he had a laugh that could light up a room,” Shelley Perras, office manager at the Ottawa Denture and Implant Centre, told the Ottawa Citizen newspaper . “He was always such a positive person. He had the funniest laugh.” Mansour Pourjam grew up in Tehran and served in the Iranian military. He studied biology at Carleton University in Ottawa and graduated with distinction in 2001. He dreamed of becoming a dentist. He studied to become a dental technologist. In 2008, Pourjam started a job as a dental technician at the Ottawa Denture and Implant Centre in Bells Corners, a suburb of Ottawa. Pourjam had a 13-year-old son, Ryan, and cared for a high school-aged nephew. At a vigil at Carleton in mid-January, Ryan said, “If I could describe [my father] in one word, it would be strong. He’s been through tragedy after tragedy, wall after wall, wrong turn after wrong turn—and he’s stood strong…He was amazing. We loved each other.” Ryan’s moving tribute to his father can be found at: cbc.ca/player/play/1673007171616 Pourjam was visiting extended family in Iran. This was a heartbreaking tragedy that really devastated the Iranian community in Canada and all around the world,” says Dr. Termei, “but what gave us strength through this difficult time was the outpouring of love and support we received from people, on the street to the high levels of government.” Dr. Farhad Niknam. Mansour Pourjam Dr. Niknam with his family. I ssues and P eople 24 | 2020 | Issue 3