I have only just found this site and my eyes are filled with tears. I first met Shahla when I found her, homesick and silently weeping, alone in a classroom at our UK boarding school of St Michael's Burton Park. Both new girls, we soon became closest friends, a friendship that  continued well into the future, kept alive by a correspondence that reached out across the world.
Shahla was a serious girl, extremely studious as well as talented, coming top of the class in almost everything including English Literature!
At half term and during the short Easter holidays she often came home to my place where she became an honorary sister to my brothers and I.
We compared Islam and Christianity, finding things to praise in both.  We loved the theatre and, when both studying in  London, went to plays together on free tickets I picked up at work.  
Once she moved to the States to follow her medical ambitions, we kept in touch through letters. 
She dedicated her whole life to medicine, the care of patients and to her family. She worked herself to the bone: mentoring medical students, running series of lectures, whilst never neglecting her own patients.
To me it seemed sadly unfair that, once she finally did retire, she died only a few months later, depriving herself and her family of the rewards of her new found freedom. 
She must have been hugely missed by her grateful patients.

I was in the same class at school with Shahla in England over 60 years ago. It was a Church of England boarding school. Shahla stood out as a serious student who, unlike the rest of us, had a clear aim in mind. She wanted to be a doctor, and a doctor who helped women in her home country. In 1963 my mother died of cancer. For me it was unexpected, as at that date in England it wasn’t the ‘done thing’ to talk about cancer, or about death before it happened. I was devastated. The friends in my immediate circle were inexperienced and did not know how to help me. Just the other day, re-reading my old diary of that year, I saw that it was Shahla who on more than one occasion offered me the comfort I required. An early indication of the sort of doctor she would become. Going online to search for her recent history, I was sad to read that I have already outlived her by four years, so I cannot thank her in person. But I was grateful to read the tributes from a wide variety of patients who have benefitted from her wisdom and compassion over many years. I thank God for her. 
Maggy Clarke, Port Alfred, South Africa.

Oh Dr Nader. You were my doctor but so much  like a mother, with her rambunctious  twins. You helped to fix me and my twins thyroid and for 20 years supported us through so much! My marriage , then my divorce , then my marriage to Luis. I miss and love you and think of you often. I will never forget you my dear doctor.  I love you, Angel lady. 

Love Always, 
Angela Duno

I first met Shahla in Tehran, in the 1970s. She was a well-trained endocrinologist, but more importantly, a kind and courteous person. I visited her & her husband, Farzin Eftekhari, in Houston in the early '80s. They were kind and warm hosts, and invited me to dinner with their family. I met her at several national endo meetings thru the years. We often talked about our families, professional accomplishments and reminisced about Iran.
I shall always remember her warm and smiling face. She left us prematurely.

Hossein Gharib 

She was my colleague at the supreme headquarter of the Iranian armed forces. A very kind and generous person. I left the country but kept in touch with her father Genera Javad Eftekhari. My sincere condolences to her family and may she rest in peace.
Dr Mojtaba Kashefi

I just heard of the passing of Dr. Nader.  My heartfelt sympathy is extended to the family.  I will deeply miss her. I had the pleasure of working with Dr. Nader as her nurse in the UT OB/ Gyn Department of Infertility.  What a journey! She took my career to new heights! After I left the Department I then chose her as my internalist. She was like a mother to me.  Always a kind word.  I will never forget how caring she was and a true professional  not only for me, but for every patient she touched . My heart ached to hear the news, but I know she is in heaven under the safety of our heavenly Father smiling down . I will never ever forget you. May you rest in peace. 
Cynthia Brady 

Dr. Nader was a wonderful physician; she cared for me for many years.  She was also a dedicated academic with who my husband had the fortune to work.  We both are very sorry to hear of her passing and extend our condolences to the family.  She was a positive force and helped so many people. She will always be remembered fondly.


I was so sorry to hear about the passing of Dr. Nader. She was my favorite doctor. Whenever I visited her office, she took enough time to learn as much as possible about me. She was never in a rush. Most of all, she was very kind and very compassionate. May she rest in peace.

I just learned yesterday of Dr. Nader's passing.  I was a patient for several years and truly respected  her as a physician.  The medical profession has lost a great one.  My condolences to her family.

She was a brilliant endocrinologist and a role model for female physicians like myself. I learnt everything I know about gynecological endocrinology from her, back in 1999-2003 and still use that knowledge today. What she taught us multiplied  manifold and helped us treat thousands of women. A gem of a person, a stalwart among physicians and she remained an inspiration for so many. Wishing strength and peace to the family. Know that she leaves a legacy of ardent,  grateful physicians she trained … that lives on. 

Family, you have my sincere condolences for your loss of a great doctor and person. She was my doctor from 2006 until  January 2020.My f/u appointments were yearly, i was told she had retired.Today i went in for some labs 05/25/2021and learned of her passing. i was heart broken, if i had known i would have attended her visitation.I was diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes on September 2009.On January 2012 f/u appointment, she said i was no longer diabetic. She continued to treat me for my Thyroid, in her own words and i quote. Ms. Darden you are one of my best patients. I will continue to miss her, she will always be in my heart.RIP Dr. Nader

I extend my sincere sympathy to Shahla’s family and friends on her passing.  I counted Shahla as a personal friend as well as a respected colleague and collaborator.  She was an example of the best one can be as an academic clinician.  She had a keen intellect and was a lifelong seeker of new knowledge, especially that which could be applied to her clinical practice.  She cared deeply for the welfare of her patients.  Shahla and I co-directed the UT Office of Women’s Health and, in that role, Shahla advocated for gender considerations in all aspects of medical education. She also organized a very successful educational series on women’s health issues open to medical school employees and the larger community, enlisting the willing participation of many of her clinical colleagues in this endeavor.  When the Medical School was flooded and our Office of Women’s Health summer interns found themselves without a place to work, Shahla graciously opened her home to them and they completed their computer-based projects there.  Shahla spoke often and with pride to me about her family members.  I will miss her.  She was a unique and special person and has left her mark for good in this world.  May her memory bring you comfort.  Sincerely, Barbara Sanborn

I am so sorry for your loss. I had the pleasure of working with Dr. Nader during my residency in OB/GYN. She was such a good mentor, teacher, and physician. She was a true advocate for women in every sense. May your family have peace during this difficult time.

I am so sorry for your loss, so heartbreaking. She was a beautiful caring person and a well respected physician. I worked with her for many years & and have a beautiful granddaughter thanks to her.  May peace and comfort be yours. 

Shala was a very hard working and very caring physician.  She leaves a legacy of a lot of good she has done for family and patients. We were very found of her and will miss her.
Max and Donna Buja

Shahla Joon,
You left us way too soon! Thank you so much for all your kindness and love to Solomon and I. May God wrap his loving arms around your family and help them through this very difficult time. You will be missed but never forgotten. Say hi to our parents in heaven! 
Love always 💖


I am so sorry for your loss.  I worked in OB/Gyn for 29 years and was in awe of Dr. Nader’s knowledge and dedication.  She was a very kind and thoughtful person.   My heart is broken to hear of her passing.  I hope that you find comfort in knowing that she helped so many people and touched so many lives with her teaching.  My thoughts and prayers are with you during this difficult time. 

I am so very sorry for your loss. My heart is broken after hearing this news moments ago. I was Dr. Creasy secretary. She was so special to me.. My prayers are with your entire family that God will comfort your  and give you peace.  God's speed

 So sorry for your loss
  I am so sad to hear that I lost my favorite doctor. I was her patient for over 30 years. It is hard to find such a good clinician like her.
May she rest in peace, and may her memories  will be blessing.
 Dita Dafny.   

Dear Dr. Nader,
There are not enough words to express my love and gratitude for the 23 years of care you gave me. After the resection of a massive pituitary tumor, your care, medical and personal, helped me to thrive and become the woman I am today. My family and I will deeply miss you.
Love,
Theresa Castles

OBITUARY

Shahla Eftekhari

February 19, 1946 – April 21, 2021

Memorial Oaks Funeral Home & Cemetery

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