About the CFMS
The CFMS is an organization representing over 8,000 medical students from 15 Canadian medical student societies from coast to coast. We represent medical students to the public, to the federal government, and to national and international medical organizations.Dear Colleagues,
It is with deep sadness that I am writing to you on behalf of the Canadian Federation of Medical Students (CFMS) Board to express my sincere condolences during this time of mourning for the loss of our colleague Mohammad Asadi-Lari, an MD/PhD student at the University of Toronto, in the tragic Ukraine International Airline, flight PS752 airliner crash in Iran on January 8th2019.
We are deeply saddened by this loss and would like to offer our condolences to his family and friends, the wider University of Toronto medical faculty and university community, and all those who he impacted.
Mohammad was very active in the University of Toronto medical community. His keen interest in technology in medicine were highlighted by his enthusiastic contributions to curriculum development, in addition to his many other academic and leadership pursuits in this area. His leadership and volunteer work spanned many organizations and many social justices causes. He was a very active participant during our recent AGM meeting, especially during the panel on innovation in medicine. His contributions as a CFMS Global health liaison amongst other involvement were just the tip of what we know he would have accomplished in medicine. Already we have seen an outpouring of support which recognize the outsized impact he made to those who were fortunate enough to know him. His contributions have already touched so many and his work and passions we know will continue on.
The death of a fellow medical student is very difficult and the circumstances of Mohammad’s passing, along with the 175 other passengers, 63 being identified as Canadians are truly tragic. During this difficult time please know there are many resources and supports available. Whether it be your Student Affairs office, PHP offices or any other resource including those offered by the CFMS we are here now and always.
As more details are available the CFMS will make arrangements to contribute to memorial plans in coordination with the University of Toronto.
There were additional reports during the day on January 8thof another individual who was mistakenly described as a medical student by news organizations. At this time, to the best of our knowledge we do not know of any other Canadian medical students who were on board the aircraft. We continue to diligently monitor the situation.
We also express our deepest condolences and sympathies to the family and friends of all passengers who were on UIA flight PS 752. Many of us may have known individuals on the aircraft and this event is a tragedy of unexplainable proportion. Our thoughts are with the families and loved ones during this time of mourning.
Sincerely with deepest condolences,
Victor Do
CFMS President, 2019-2020