Hospital profile, Hospital function, Hospital Services, Medical Center, Dr. Sheikh Biography, Old Chairmanships Biography, FAQS

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Dr. Sheikh Biography: Dr. Morteza Sheikh was born in Tehran in 1907. After completing high school, he was accepted to, and completed his higher education at the Medical School of Tehran. His father was a struggling goldsmith. Dr. Sheikh also supported his father while attending Medical School. It was during that time that he understood the problems of the needy, and vowed to dedicate his life helping the indigent. Dr. Sheikh also supported his brother and three sisters until they completed their education and, like him, began their public service in health and human services. His now deceased brother served in the military. Dr. Sheikh was of the belief that most rewarding career is in serving mankind, and so he pursued medicine as his profession.

Dr. Sheikh is quoted as saying “A patient needs his morale tended to before physical treatment.” He would develop such a connection with his patients during visits that the patient felt a lot of their pain disappear when he left.

Dr. Sheikh was called to military service following attainment of his doctorate in medicine. He began his public service practicing medicine at the towns of Makoo, then Maragheh and finally in Sistan and Baluchestan region. While serving in the latter region, he succeeded in establishing a government hospital to provide free health services for the indigents. After his marriage, Dr. Sheikh was transferred by the Health Department to Mashhad’s office where he was assigned physician duties at the local sugar mill. The limited services there, prompted Dr. Sheikh to open private practice office in Mashhad. His practice began in Shahrdari square at the center of the city. He then expanded his offices to deprived neighborhoods like Sarshur, Bargh square, and Noaghan area.

Dr. Sheikh was once asked by a colleague, Dr. Khadiv-Jam; “Why have you opened your offices only in deprived neighborhoods?” Dr. Sheikh replied “Because my patients do not have the means to come to my city center office, and commuting is an extra expense for them, so I go to them.” Dr. Sheikh lived honorably in the eyes of the public for 69 years. He laughed with and cried even more than those he served. He healed pains, and gave a helping hand to the oppressed.

Dr. Sheikh had a larger than life yet humble persona. He was cordial and respectful of his patients, as if they were his peers. He was truly devoted to the mankind, and befriended those who loved people. He also stood up against materialistic people, and believed strongly that meaningful life may only be realized in service of the deprived. Serving the wealthy did not interest him, for he believed that there were many physicians available to serve the rich.

Dr. Sheikh had a different approach to the patient depending on their age and state of mind. He had a youthful approach with the young, as if he was their age, and that is how he managed to establish the connection with them. He was devoted to people.

Dr. Sheikh became seriously ill and bedridden in 1973. The public voluntarily organized prayer sessions for him, and after his death, arranged a funeral procession in Mashhad that was second to none. He passed on and joined his creator in the year 1976 following the long illness. His passing left his numerous admirers mourning. His funeral which coincided at that time with the martyrdom of Imam Reza (Peace Be Upon Him) was elegantly celebrated by the grateful people of Mashhad. Dr. Sheikh’s funeral procession was further glorified when the procession of Imam Reza’s martyrdom (PBOH) joined his mourners. When the provincial governor of Khorasan learned of his passing, he arranged to burry Dr. Sheikh at the holy shrine of Imam Reza (PBOH) contrary to the deceased wish to be buried in the ordinary public graveyard of the city. In the end, Dr. Sheikh’s kind services to the public, earned him the honor of sharing his final resting place with Imam Reza (PBOH). The public organized funeral ceremonies for his supporters to bid their final farewell to the good doctor, and in the presence of his family. It is worth mentioning that in addition to the dignitaries, common people eulogized him as well; one of the volunteer speakers was a coach operator.

And so it is that after his passing of decades ago, his family still feels indebted to the public for their expressions of kindness, and for their genuine remembrance of Dr. Sheikh. May his memory remain alive hereafter.

Dr. Sheikh had opened an office in Sarshur area of Mashhad where I ran a produce store. I did not know him at the time. He used to come to my store everyday before going to his office and inquire about my vegetable prices, but never bought any. After a few days, I lost my patience and rudely asked him; “Why are you wasting my time asking for price of each item? Are you an inspector?” He replied; “No, I am Dr. Sheikh, and I am recording the prices of the vegetables, so I can prescribe the least expensive ones for my patients.”

Quoted from a produce store owner:

Once when I was in Dr. Sheikh’s office, I notice he was prescribing lamb soup to a patient. I asked him “Why are you not prescribing chicken soup instead?” He said; “Lamb soup is just as effective for restoring body strength, but cheaper than chicken soup.”

Dr. Sheikh continued to see patients toward the end of his life even though he was bedridden by his doctor. One of his children suggested that he should increase his visitation fee. Dr. Sheikh replied; “My dear child, I am either insane or a wise man. If I am insane, there is not much you can do with me, and if I am a wise man, you should not interfere with a wise man’s work.”

A man asked him once; “Why do you ride a motorcycle, given your age and the hardship of riding?” Dr. Sheikh replied; “Some of the patients whose homes I visit, live in narrow alleys that cannot be navigated by car. So I use motorcycle.”

Quoted from Dr. Hossein Khadiv-Jam:

 

This is the height of humanity, living not for fame, but in service of god with devotion to his mankind. And so it was that his fine services were revealed and acknowledged after his passing. Above being a medicine man, Dr. Sheikh was a teacher whose character, honesty and devotion served as a fine example for his students and followers.

May he be always remembered with honor and his followers never diminish.