White Coat Profile: Dara Sam Farhadi

The White Coat Ceremony marks the first time a medical student will don his or her white coat, the defining symbol of a physician. The coat bestows a great honor on each student, and with it comes a responsibility to uphold the trust of every patient they will encounter. The Class of 2022 will receive their white coats on July 20 during a ceremony that begins at 3:30 p.m. at Symphony Hall in downtown Phoenix.

Meet Dara Sam Farhadi

As a young boy in grade school, Dara Sam Farhadi was fascinated by science. That led him to an interest in how the brain works and, ultimately, his decision to pursue a career in medicine. As an undergraduate at the University of Arizona, his realization about the wide spectrum of responsibilities entrusted with physicians affirmed his desire to become a doctor. As a reporter for The Daily Wildcat, he was exposed to the good work of health care professionals. From there, his interest in medicine grew as he volunteered and worked in research labs.

Farhadi grew up in Phoenix and attended Marcos de Niza High School in Tempe. He graduated from the University of Arizona, where he majored in neuroscience and cognitive science.

Last year, he earned a master’s degree in science and health journalism from Boston University while preparing for medical school. This summer, he worked on a freelance story for Undark magazine about the unseen side of the opioid epidemic.

Why Did You Choose the College of Medicine – Phoenix?

Farhad said the culture drew him to the college.

“The College of Medicine – Phoenix’s open and inviting culture that encourages the development of a unique narrative medicine program attracted me,” he said. “Not only that, Phoenix is home and I have been a part of this community for nearly my whole life. The school’s affordability, reputation and connection to Barrow Neurological Institute are three substantial reasons for my decision. I’m sure in the next four years I will discover more reasons why I made the right choice to be here.”

Describe Your Volunteer Experiences

Farhadi volunteers at the Ryan House, a free-standing pediatric hospice center that provides palliative and respite care for patients who typically have genetic disorders, neurological conditions and other illnesses.

“My favorite days are when I’m able to play video games or board games with the kids,” he said. “We watch movies, play outside in the backyard or cook something up in the kitchen. I sometimes perform piano pieces I have been practicing at home.”

At first, Farhadi was hesitant to volunteer because, like so many people, he thought the experience might be too sad. “Those thoughts don’t represent the culture and feeling when you’re there. In the time that I have volunteered, I’ve learned from each kid that happiness is very much attainable when you’re sick and that life can be lived to the fullest, no matter your circumstances. I continue to grow as a person and future physician while at Ryan House. My perception that dying must be the antithesis of living has been happily shattered by a goofy bunch of kids.”

What Does the White Coat Mean to You?

“For some, the white coat is a symbol of status, intelligence and desire. For others, especially patients, it’s a stimulus that might spike their blood pressure. In all its cultural meaning and symbolic complexity, I hope to remember that the white coat is simply a carefully stitched garment often made from cotton, linen or a cotton polyester blend. Doing so allows me to keep in mind that we must hold those inside the coat accountable, consider their work valuable and never forget that the people they help and heal are of great importance. Certainly, I will be overjoyed the day I receive my white coat, as it represents the sum of all the hard work I have achieved so far. It also will inspire me to work harder. It will affirm my responsibilities as a member of my community.”

Be a part of this storied tradition by becoming a White Coat Sponsor today! Your generous gift will provide one of these future physicians with their white coat.