Shahrzad Joharifard ’05 MD / Field Hockey
City, State / Workplace / Title
Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada / Pediatric Surgeon, British Columbia Children’s Hospital / Assistant Professor of Surgery, University of British Columbia (UBC) / Adjunct Professor, UBC Branch for International Surgical Care
Medical Specialty / Other Degrees (MBA/MPH, etc.)
Pediatric Surgery and Global Surgery / MD/MPH
What made you choose a career in healthcare?
I have a long-standing passion for global health.
What is the focus of your work today?
I am a pediatric surgeon, which means that I operate on a wide variety of congenital and acquired conditions in tiny premature neonates all the way to burly 18 year old's. In addition, I have spent a good part of the last 15 years working in various capacities in sub-Saharan Africa, initially with the International Rescue Committee in the Democratic Republic of the Congo through a Princeton-in-Africa fellowship, and thereafter with a number of organizations in a dozen countries across the continent. Currently, I work with Partners in Health (PIH) and Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF or Doctors Without Borders) to provide surgical care in conflict and post conflict settings.
How has your work changed in the face of COVID-19?
I had three ACL reconstructions during my field hockey career, and rehabilitating from these surgeries in order to get back on the field taught me grit and resilience, attributes that were critical to surviving 12 grueling years of surgical training.Shahrzad Joharifard
Thankfully COVID affects children less than adults. That being said, COVID has certainly complicated all of our work and I have had to operate on a number of COVID-positive children. On a more personal note, given quarantine rules and travel bans, COVID has prevented me and many other MSF surgeons from working internationally, which has affected the organization’s ability to provide surgical care to the world’s poorest and most desperate populations.
How did being a Princeton student-athlete prepare you for the challenges you’ve faced?
Being a Princeton student-athlete taught me teamwork, work ethic, and time management. I had three ACL reconstructions during my field hockey career, and rehabilitating from these surgeries in order to get back on the field taught me grit and resilience, attributes that were critical to surviving 12 grueling years of surgical training.
What keeps you inspired as you look ahead?
My greatest passion is to improve surgical care for the world’s poorest and most neglected populations. The challenges are enormous, but through partnership, education, and advocacy, organizations like MSF and PIH are doing outstanding work to ensure that an individual's place of birth does not preclude them from accessing quality surgical, anesthesia, and obstetric care.
Medical School / Other Affiliations
Duke University School of Medicine / University of British Columbia (General Surgery Residency) / Université de Montréal, CHU Sainte-Justine (Pediatric Surgery Fellowship) / Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health (Masters in Public Health)
Tiger Heroes
In partnership with RWJBarnabas Health, the official health care system of Princeton Athletics, “Tiger Heroes” honors front line workers and health care leaders from our alumni community. This digital and social series highlights alumni from all 37 varsity sports programs who have risen to the challenge since the onset of COVID-19. We also recognize special Princeton friends and family. Nominations may be sent to Jess Deutsch, Princeton's Associate Director, Student-Athlete Services: jdeutsch@princeton.edu