Help create memory book for Saadi family
The UI Carver College of Medicine is is planning a memorial service for Ibrahim Saadi, a third year medical student who died suddenly in an automobile crash on Jan. 9. The service will be held at 2 p.m. on Saturday, Jan. 31, in the Prem Sahai Auditorium (1110A MERF).
At the service, the College would like to present a book of condolences to his family, and is asking students, staff, and faculty to submit, through this web site, remembrances, personal stories about Ibrahim, thoughts of support and condolence, and photos. You may submit your remembrances in the comments section of this post, or, if you prefer, submit them privately by e-mail to Ginnie Woodard, or by regular mail at 1120A1 MERF. If you have photos to share for the scrapbook, please send them to Woodard as well.
January 18th, 2009 at 8:41 pm
Although I only knew Ibrahim a short time, I felt like we were like old friends or relatives. Everytime I would see Ibrahim we would pick up where we last left off without missing a beat. There was a warmth in Ibrahim’s heart that was palpable, and an ability to understand people in a way that made them feel comfortable around him. He was a sincere, engaging, kind, and highly intelligent man who had much to offer this world. I am saddened by his loss, and pray that his good will remains in our hearts.
Ibrahim we miss you.
January 19th, 2009 at 11:14 pm
In the short time I knew Ibrahim, he showed himself to be a genuinely caring person, whose generosity knew no bounds, and whose kindness knew no limits. We shared a passion for Premier League Football, and although we supported different teams, we always supported each other when the other was feeling blue about their team’s results. I will truly miss him, but I know that he is in a place where he is at peace.
January 22nd, 2009 at 4:30 pm
We only recently had Ibrahim on our Obstetrics and Gynecology clerkship, where he impressed us all with his sincerity, his dedication to his patients, his intellectual curiousity and his professionalism. Ibrahim’s loss not only reminds us of the fragility of our own existence, but also underscores the need to make a difference in others’ lives each day that we are given.
January 22nd, 2009 at 11:04 pm
I first met Ibrahim on his first day as a third-year medical student when he began a 6-week pediatric clerkship at Blank Children’s Hospital in Des Moines. I remember meeting and greeting him on the first day. Although I often do not get to know the UI students in Des Moines for pediatric rotations very well, I did get to know Ibrahim better than most.
I got to know Ibrahim better because he asked to speak with me about his concern that the InnTowner apartment facility that students live in during their time in Des Moines did not have internet access. He passionately described to me how difficult that made life for him and other students staying at the InnTowner. He was very persuasive!
He made such an impression on me that I promised I would try once again to see if there was some way we could wire the older InnTowner facilty to allow internet access. I subsequently learned of a way to install DSL wireless internet service to the InnTowner without breaking our budget. Students now enjoy access to the internet from their InnTowner apartments and they have Ibrahim to thank. I intend to share that story with future UICCOM students staying in the InnTowner facility as a way to keep Ibrahim’s memory alive. We will consider this the “Ibrahim Saadi Memorial Wireless Internet Service”!
January 23rd, 2009 at 9:57 am
I was one of Ibrahim’s instructors in the biomedical ethics part of his HELP class one year ago. I will remember his well-written discussions involving ethical topics. I will remember his unique views during discussions that always created new topics for discussion. I will remember most his passion in discussions of these views. He voiced a clear sense of duty to the patient, especially the patient whose views might not otherwise be represented in the discussion. His mind was very keen in this aspect. Others in the class have benefitted from his presence during his time there.
January 23rd, 2009 at 11:43 am
I spent an afternoon with Ibrahim seeing patients in my gynecology clinic. Although my encounter with Ibrahim was brief, it didn’t take long to get to know that Ibrahim was an intelligent, caring and compassionate person. He had an unending thirst for knowledge. My patients enjoyed meeting him and he made them feel very comfortable. I am greatly sorry for your loss. My peace to you.
January 25th, 2009 at 1:23 pm
This is such a tragic loss and my heart goes out to Ibrahim’s family, fiancee, friends, and classmates. I am amazed at how many lives Ibrahim positively influenced during his time as a medical student at the Carver College of Medicine. I was fortunate to spend time with Ibrahim when he was a second year medical student interested in exploring the field of Urology. He impressed me as a very mature and enthusiastic young man. He is remembered for his commitment, dedication, and passion for medicine and for serving others. These are qualities we should all try and emulate.
January 26th, 2009 at 4:04 pm
Many years ago I read a book entitled; “Why Do Bad Things Happen to Good People” That question can never be adequately answered and certainly not in this very sad and tragic situation. My deepest sympathy to Ibrahim’s parents, sisters, fiancee, and friends. Ibrahim was a very enthusiastic young man and I believe he would have made a very caring physician. As a medical student he touched the lives of many, and I sincerely hope that he will be remembered in that way. I think we each need, in our own way, to celebrate our own lives and recognize that every day is a true gift.
January 26th, 2009 at 10:35 pm
I briefly met Ibrahim in Des Moines when we were on different rotations. We ate lunch with the same group of students a few times, and I distinctly remember Ibrahim’s passionate arguments on behalf of patient rights and healthcare ethics. I was really struck by his unwavering idealism and he left an impact on my own views of how to run a medical practice. I am so sorry for the loss of Ibrahim. My heart goes out to his friends and family, and I wish you peace in the future. All of us who knew Ibrahim will never forget him.
January 27th, 2009 at 4:56 pm
Ibrahim and I met during our first year at medical school. We were in PPD together (professional and personal discussion group, or something like that-medicine has too many acronyms for me). We had a really good group and all 6 of us hit it off pretty well.
One of the first long conversations I had with Ibrahim began with, “what are you a thug?” He laughed. I was asking him about why he had written LOVE across his knuckles like it was a tattoo. He began to tell me without any embarrassment or reservations and with sincerity what love had the power to do and how much it had taught him. He began to speak of his girlfriend Stephanie. How much he loved her and how blessed his life was because of his family, loved ones and friends. I thought, this guy would make a really, really good friend. We spent the next few years exchanging really deep ideas and good books to read. I met Stephanie one day and told her, “you know he loves you. first thing he ever told me.” Her eyes lit up and she was so happy to hear that.
When I first heard about his death, my first thoughts were a mixture of, “we lost a really really really good doctor.” Mixed in with that was he died happy, he was pursuing his dream of medicine, he was in love with his fiance, and he left an impact on everyone he met. He inspires me now to live life fully, feeling everything and not letting it get me down. He also inspires me to believe in the power of love, and believe in myself. Thank you for helping him share part of his life with us and letting us at the University of Iowa be apart of it.
January 27th, 2009 at 7:15 pm
I remember the first time I met Ibrahim while waiting in line for the white coat ceremony back before medical school had even begun. I mentioned to him that I have cousins from Israel with the same last name and that became one of many conversations we shared about Israel. I had recently returned from spending 3 months there and our shared experiences in that country became a foundation for many discussions. I found out that Ibrahim had attended the same high school that my cousin would be attending that fall. We never debated Israeli politics or the tensions between the Jewish people and the Palestian people in that region because we never had to. Our conversations were ones of shared love for our families and experiences in Israel, rather than about the politics surrounding the land itself.
Over the course of the first semester of medical school, I had many interactions with Ibrahim. His anatomy lab table was right next to mine and I have many memories of discussions we had while waiting to take anatomy quizzes. A few times he even told me stories in Hebrew about people he had met along the street and in the local markets in Israel. Even when I didn’t understand his every word, he told them with such animation and energy that I certainly got the point.
I will also remember his frustration with the medical system in the United States. He told me countless times how in Israel, “you just show up to the doctor and that is all. You can even go if you aren’t sick, just to say hello.” We talked many a time about how healthcare policy and the value of healthcare is different here and seemed to share a common interest in learning medicine to work to change healthcare.
Upon hearing of Ibrahim’s tragic death, I was speechless. The memories I had of him raced through my mind. The thought of the injustice in the loss of a man with so much potential in the world was unimaginable. Then I thought of the last time I spoke with Ibrahim. That last time was only 4 days before his tragic passing. I went up to him between a break in lecture and told him of my recent trip to Israel. He asked me if I had made it back before the recent outbreak of fighting. We shared what happened to be our last conversation, which was aptly about a place that we both hold sacred and united us in the first place. I kept thinking how in the midst of seemingly endless fighting over a region so holy to so many, Israel was a uniting bond between Ibrahim, a Palestinian, and myself, a Jew. We never debated religion or politics in the region, we simply shared stories of family, friends, and culture.
I am still shocked by the thought that I will not get to catch Ibrahim in passing and discuss healthcare or talk about Israel. His presence was an integral part of my first years of medical education. I will miss his animated stories, his ardent outrage with the world’s injustices, and his sense of humor. I feel blessed to have met Ibrahim and shared the memories I have had. I wish all of those mourning Ibrahim’s death solace and comfort in this difficult time.
January 28th, 2009 at 11:21 am
In microbiology lab second year you randomly choose your lab table where you’re going to sit the entire semester, and Mona and I got lucky enough to be across from Ibrahim, Tom Longley, and Martha Carvour. That was where I first got to know Ibrahim. He was funny, charismatic, and most importantly he, Tom, and Martha always knew what we were supposed to be doing in case Mona and I didn’t.
We would joke with him all of the time during lab and he helped to make the unpleasant experience of micro lab turn into something I looked forward to.
I then got to know Ibrahim more during second semester because I was in the same ethics group as him, and in the same clinical mentor group of four for FCP IV. This is where I learned, as I’m sure anyone else in our ethics group could say as well, that Ibrahim was a very passionate person – passionate about medicine, life, helping people, the evil pharmaceutical companies (haha), the list goes on. He always had this energy about him that radiated to the people around him, and he was so smart. There were many times we’d be discussing things in the group and I’d be thinking “how does this kid know all of these things, he’s so rounded and knowledgable.” I wanted that too – he made me want to be a better person, to be more passionate, to really get out of life what I wanted.
It was also very nice to be in that group of four with him, to get the chance to know Ibrahim on a more personal level. We both learned that we had more in common than we realized with each of us having a sister and nieces in Des Moines. He was such a great person. When I heard about his death, it was awful and I couldn’t believe it. After the shock wore off and I was talking to my classmates about it, we realized, though it seemed impossible, there was one good thing that came from this. It made us sit down and reevaluate our lives, asking ourselves if we were getting as much out of life as Ibrahim was. Because as we all just realized, life is very fragile and we should be doing what we want and can today.
January 28th, 2009 at 12:07 pm
I did not have the honor of knowing your son, but it’s become very clear since his death that he was admired by many and held in very high regard. You should be very proud. Please accept my sincerest sympathy on his passing.
January 28th, 2009 at 12:40 pm
I met Ibrahim through my work as a fundraiser at the University of Iowa Foundation. He was kind enough to attend some of our events, where he interacted with alumni and donors. I noticed that he went out of his way not only to thank the donors who funded a scholarship he received, but to engage with donors whose scholarship recipients were unable to attend. In addition, Ibrahim extended himself to me on a personal basis, interpreting lyrics of songs written in Middle Eastern languages to which I wanted to choregraph dances. Ibrahim was a caring and generous soul. While I am sad and sorry he is gone from this world, I am grateful for the gift of having known him, even if for so short a time. My heart goes out to his family and friends.
January 28th, 2009 at 12:53 pm
I met Ibrahim when he was a first-year medical student. He was involved with the Mobile Clinic and I did his lab skills training. I also worked with him when he took Medical Pathology during his second year. He was a very kind and compassionate person and will be greatly missed. My heart goes out to you in your loss.
Jan Frerichs
Department of Pathology
January 28th, 2009 at 1:32 pm
I only briefly met Ibrahim as he rotated through the Neuro-Ophthalmology service. It was obvious he was a highly intelligent young man who was held in high regard by faculty and patients alike. His sudden tragic loss has cut short what would have been a highly successful career in medicine. With deepest sympathies to his family. May God shower his mercy on him.
January 28th, 2009 at 3:49 pm
I met Ibrahim during a diversity lunch at Ms. Woodard’s house in the fall of 2007. He was one of the few people that I got the chance to be introduced to and I learned some things about him within three minutes. I never forgot his uniqueness since then because within the few minutes that we chatted I already knew so much about his background and interest in medicine. He did not shy away from introducing himself to me as a Muslim and I truly appreciated that, because it reflects the diversity of CCOM. The Friday that followed his death I was at Iowa City mosque for the Jumat prayer and his name was mentioned and he was prayed for — this truly demonstrated that Ibrahim’s wish to live a life that will touch others was fulfilled. He touched people’s lives in different ways as you can read from the responses on this page. He also lived beyond the medical school and reached out to the community. I sincerely sympathize with your family at this time and I wish him a peaceful abode with the almighty Allah.
January 28th, 2009 at 4:30 pm
Ibrahim was one of the most intellectual and friendly people I met at the University of Iowa. I will always remember the many times we caught each other in the hall – sometimes skipping class together – and talked about so many things from medicine to politics to religion to just life in general. He was always there with a smile and just a wonderful person to know. Ibrahim lived a wonderful life and was a great man. I know that he blessed the lives of many he came into contact with because he blessed my life. Thank you for allowing your son to come to the University of Iowa. I’m a better person because of it.
January 28th, 2009 at 8:57 pm
My first memory of Ibrahim is from our first year. I was wearing a Luther College soccer shirt that I had taken from my brother’s closet, and Ibrahim approached me and enthusiastically asked if I had played soccer in college. Taking it a step further, he asked immediately if I wanted to be on his adult soccer league. I was in hot water — I hadn’t played soccer since the first grade! Even after explaining this, Ibrahim was still happy to have me play. And despite my poor performance on the soccer field, he never had anything but words of encouragement for me, and our soccer games were often the highlight of my week.
Over the few years that we knew each other, we had a few chances to talk about his plans for the future, his worldview, and his upbringing. He wanted to leave the world a better than he came in, for everyone, no matter your creed, religion or ideology. And while many of his dreams were cut short, I can promise that he did fulfill one — he left the world, and me, better. He left an indelible mark on many of us that we will carry as we each go out into the world. I am so sorry for your loss, and thank you for sharing your son, brother and fiance with us.
Matt
January 29th, 2009 at 11:26 pm
Ibrahim was a great man and his talents will be missed by those who knew him and those who would have known him. I will remember Ibrahim for his passion. His passion for medicine, for others, and for all aspects of his life. I got to know Ibrahim while playing soccer with him on a medical student team he had organized. His enthusiasm for the game was obvious. However, in talking to him after games, around MERF, or in the hospital throughout the past year I appreciated how much enthusiasm and dedication he brought to everything he pursued. Ibrahim’s tragic passing reminds us to live each day with passion.
January 30th, 2009 at 8:49 pm
I am so sorry for the traumatic loss of Ibrahim. The number of lives he deeply touched is truly amazing.
I first became familiar with Ibrahim’s intelligence and enthusiasm for learning when I was in his lab group for microbiology in the beginning of our second year of medical school. I remember how at the end of some of our lab sessions, everyone in our group except Ibrahim would start rushing through the last few workbook questions with the anticipation of leaving faster. Ibrahim was always sincerely interested in carefully thinking through each question. His commitment to learning inspired me to be a better medical student.
That fall was the first season that I had the privilege of playing on a soccer team with Ibrahim. I will never forget how enthusiastic he was about soccer and how exciting the championship game was that season. It was so much fun to play with him and witness him share his fervor with the team. His passion reminded me to fully enjoy all of life’s special moments.
Once the third year of medical school started and we were all on different rotations, I saw Ibrahim less often. However, each time that I would see him in the hallways of UIHC or at MERF, I would walk away from our brief conversations thinking “what a truly great person.” He talked passionately about medicine and his future plans, told me enthusiastically about all that was new with him, and asked with sincere interest about what was new with me. His tone of voice and the manner in which he talked always radiated sincere care. His enthusiasm about life and deep care for all people inspired me to be a better person.
I cannot tell you enough how sorry I am for this loss. Ibrahim did indeed leave the world a better place and his impact on us as his classmates will contribute to making us better doctors.
January 31st, 2009 at 12:51 pm
A few months ago, Ibrahim and I were on Internal Medicine rotation. Though we were not on the same team, the first three weeks we were on 6RC at U and the second three weeks we were at VA. We ran into each other a lot — he always had this big smile on his face no matter how busy and tired he was. He had a very positive attitude toward life and people around him. One day at U, on the way home, I saw Ibrahim and Jess (the other student on IM rotation) talking to this lady who was obviously upset. Ibrahim and Jess both were very patient and trying to find the information for this lady. It turned out she was the wife of one of the patients taken care of by their team. She didn’t know she had to pay a huge parking fee after she parked her car a few days to drop off her husband at the hospital. It was a big surprise for her. Ibrahim and Jess were in hospital working nonstop since 6AM. Despite of being tired and exhausted, they took the patient’s wife several places to help her to take care of the parking fee. This was not an unusual situation; it is just something Ibrahim would normally do.
He was a good person and will be missed.
January 31st, 2009 at 2:35 pm
I met Ibrahim when I was an M1 and he was an M2. I got to know him when he and Martha Carvour asked me to help them organize some things for Human Rights Week. Besides being a nice, funny guy, I was most impressed by Ibrahim’s passion for helping the underserved. I could tell that he wanted very strongly to make a difference in health care for those who didn’t always get the best access to it. I had other interactions with Ibrahim throughout the year, but what I will always remember about him is his strong desire to help the underserved. He was a great guy. His loss is tragic, and my sympathies are with you.
January 31st, 2009 at 4:55 pm
I couldn’t make it to the memorial because of illness (real, not simulated), but I had Ibrahim as a student as I am a Simulated Patient Instructor (SPI).
I can’t tell you how it all went because I try not to remember all the different scenario experiences, but I do know that he was a good student and eager to learn. You have my deepest condolences on your loss and the world lost a good doctor.
January 31st, 2009 at 8:17 pm
I didn’t know Ibrahim, but was one of the persons who removed him from his vehicle that night. It sounds like he had many friends, and was heading for great things. My thoughts and prayers go out to his family and friends. Peace be with you, Kathy
February 2nd, 2009 at 7:49 pm
I had the opportunity to work with Ibrahim several times when he worked at Walgreens in Des Moines. His passion and enthusiasm inspired me and does so to this day. He was such an amazing and caring individual. Always know what an impact he had on all of the lives he touched, especially mine.
February 3rd, 2009 at 5:00 pm
I had the pleasure of knowing Ibrahim while he worked in Des Moines. He was a very kind person, who let people be who they were and didn’t judge. He was a smart, passionate, compassionate person, full of life and the care of others.
I was always impressed at how he noticed little things and made the people around him better. He had a great sense of humor and could tell such interesting stories about things he knew well – home, family and his friends.
I will miss him very much.
March 3rd, 2009 at 2:22 pm
I met Ibrahim in summer of 06. He was an engaging young man. He quickly mentioned his muslim background and we immediately began conversing about politics. As others have stated, he was passionate about soccer. That summer the World Cup was held in Germany. We had many fun deliberations on who was the best team. His intellectual cunning amazed me. He could converse cogently about soccer one second and switch to health care reform the next.
I am deeply saddened by his death. My condolences go out to his family. I’ll never forget playing Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles at Mike Nassif’s house with him. Even while playing a video game, he’d snap at me to pick it up. He never did anything half-harted. He motivated me to believe in ones ability to positively impact others. Ibrahim my friend, I will never forget you.