Parvin M Jacobs

Dr. Parvin Modaber Jacobs was born in Tehran, Iran, the oldest of three children. Her father, General N. Modaber, was a 4-Star General for M. Reza Shah Pahlavi.

In Iran, she excelled in school and was the captain of her volleyball team, basketball team and drama class. At age seven she became quite ill and was successfully treated by the family physician. This experience triggered a desire to become a physician herself and help others in a similar way.

She soon realized that she would need to leave Iran to achieve this goal. Her parents sent her to London to learn to speak English (already being able to speak French and Farsi) and to get a high school education. Parvin then entered college in the United States and was admitted to New York Medical College afterwards. There she met her future husband, Theodore Jacobs.

Parvin and Ted were married following medical school and later moved to San Francisco to complete their training in Internal Medicine at the prestigious University of California, San Francisco. While there, Dr. Parvin Modaber Jacobs gave birth to son, Loring, and daughter, Leslie Jacobs, and still managed to complete her residency on time.

After residency, the Air Force sent Dr. Theodore Jacobs, his young family in tow, to Torrejon Air Base outside Madrid, Spain. While Theodore cared for the servicemen, Parvin devoted her attention to treating the their dependents. In 1964, Theodore, Parvin, and children returned to the United States and traveled from the East coast by car with the intention of starting a practice in San Francisco. They made a stop in Las Vegas to visit some friends and found a city in need of well-trained physicians. Consequently, Las Vegas became their home.

Professionally, Parvin and Theodore developed thriving practices and were committed to elevating medical care in Las Vegas. Theodore was appointed President of the Nevada State Board of Medical Examiners and held that position for twenty years. Parvin was appointed Assistant Professor of Medicine at University of Nevada School of Medicine. The Las Vegas Woman Magazine chose Dr. Modaber Jacobs one of the “Best Doctors” of Las Vegas in July 2008. In addition, the Nevada State Medical Association honored both Ted and Parvin with the “Physicians of the Year” Award.

Creatively, Parvin was noted for her artistic flare with clothing, which she designed herself. In recognition, she was selected as the “Best Dressed Female in Las Vegas” twice. She was also asked to design the dress for one of Nevada’s First Ladies during the state Inaugural Ball.

Parvin was renowned for her philanthropic efforts. She and Ted were integrally involved in founding and supporting the Nevada Dance Theater. Parvin also was on the Board of Directors for the Nevada Dance Theater, the Las Vegas Symphonic and Chamber Music Society, and the Nevada Opera Company. Parvin was noted for fund raising efforts and organized many successfully Galas for charities such as the American Cancer Society, as well as the Nevada Dance Theater and Nevada Opera Company. In recognition of their philanthropic achievements, Prince Henri Constantine Paleologne of Italy knighted Ted and Parvin in 1986 making them Knights of Malta.

Parvin and Ted enjoyed sports and staying active. They were regular supporters of UNLV’s basketball and football teams. They themselves also enjoyed playing tennis and golf whenever they had the time.

When asked, Parvin would universally state that, among her many achievements and accolades, two things gave her the most joy. First, was the privilege to care for her many patients over the years and being part of their lives. Second, and most importantly, was instilling in her two children the same joy and commitment to the practice of medicine. Both son, Dr. Loring Jacobs, and daughter, Dr. Leslie Jacobs, joined Ted and Parvin’s medical practice after completing their residency in Internal Medicine. Leslies’s husband, Dr. William Shoemaker, joined the practice soon after.

Parvin felt blessed to live long enough to see her grandson, Dr. Matthew Shoemaker, join the medical practice alongside his father and uncle on December 1, 2025. She was even able to visit the clinic and witness her grandson in the act of patient care.

Dr. Parvin Modaber Jacobs passed away peaceably in the evening of December 24, 2025 surrounded by her children, grandchildren and her son in law. She was ninety-seven years old.

Her family, friends, and patients will miss her greatly. She was an amazing woman with tremendous, drive, determination, and intellect.

Parvin is known to say, “Make today the best day of your life and be responsible and committed.” That is certainly how she led her life.

In lieu of flowers please donate to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital and the Cleveland Clinic Lou Ruvo Center for Brain Health-Las Vegas.