A Letter from Dr. Taybi
Shortly before he died, I received this letter from this famous pediatric radiologist who taught us about so many developmental problems in children, who had been a refugee from Iran:
Rev. Joanna J. Seibert:
Dear Joanna (please call me Hoosh):
Thank you very much for your kind email. Your encouragement is most appreciated. I have accepted my illness and have no trouble dealing with the situation, thanks primarily to the support of my loving wife, Alice, and my children.
I am so thankful for all the opportunities I have been given by my mentors, friends, and, many times, strangers in this country. Your kindness and your email bring me back to 1946, when I was a practicing pediatrician in the city of Hamedan in Iran. An American missionary ran a small hospital and clinic, headed by a young American, Dr. Frame. One day, I told him I planned to go to America to get more education. A son of a missionary, he spoke Farsi fluently. I told him I wanted to learn “American.” He taught me a few words in “American” [English].
When I left Iran, Mrs. Frame gave me a letter to deliver to her parents, the Andersons. I arrived in New York City in December 1948, just before Christmas, and found my way to the Andersons’ apartment in Manhattan. Mr. Anderson took me to New York University, met with Professor Tobin, the Dean of Students, and enrolled me in an English class. The Andersons were missionaries who had spent many years in South America’s jungles.
Their kindness did not end there. Many times, they invited me to their home, and I spent the 1949 Christmas there in New Jersey. The Frames moved back to the USA, and Dr. Frame had a practice in New York City.
In 1964, we offered a course in Pediatric Radiology at Indiana University Medical Center. I invited Dr. Frame to come as my guest and attend the course. He could not attend, but in a kind note he wrote: “I see your ‘American’ has much improved,” referring to my use of American instead of English in 1948!! This type of kindness is unforgettable. To the end of my life, I shall remember what they did for a man from another land and another culture. Two of the Anderson photographs from my album are attached.
I greatly appreciate your family's remembering our meeting this old friend. Please extend my regards to them, and I hope we meet again at another SPR gathering.
Hoosh
Joanna https://www.joannaseibert.com/