In January of 2020, we lost a beautiful soul, our friend and brother Mohammad Amin Jebelli. His time with us was too brief, but his impact on our lives and the Translational Research Program will live on for years to come.

Amin was the first to lend a helping hand and the foremost anchor for anyone who needed him. He would have graduated with the class of 2020 had he been with us today. Let us turn our grief into a legacy that will forever honour the integrity Amin embodied. Let us allow his essence to live in us as we walk the path he couldn’t. Let us resonate with his selflessness as we remember him now and forevermore.

Amin, we are so grateful for having shared our time together. Thank you for your passion and everything you taught us.

In Rumi’s poignant words, “Goodbyes are only for those who love with their eyes. Because for those who love with heart and soul there is no such thing as separation.”

Being the person he was, Amin touched numerous lives with his love. A few of his friends, classmates, and acquaintances shared a few stories about the impact he left in their lives.

“You are not a drop in the ocean, you are the entire ocean in a drop”. This quote by Rumi reminds me of Amin. Amin was a very deep person with a lot of talents. He was an amazing singer and he would suddenly start singing while he would cook or when I was studying. I said to him, “you are an amazing singer, bro!”. I did not understand what the lyrics (Persian) were but he sang extremely well. He wanted to learn as much as he can from this degree and he would enroll in every other module. I think he had an obsessive-compulsive personality as he liked orderliness too much…even the magnets on his fridge were not allowed to move a millimeter away from a certain position (and I would always move them secretly to bug him). He wanted to become an interventional cardiologist in Canada and we were studying for Canadian licensing exams together before he left for Iran. He was very soft-hearted and his favorite cartoon character that he would often mimic was Goofy (the dog with turtle neck sweater).

I believe that it is not the length of life that matters, it is the depth that does. Amin will never be forgotten.

May Allah bless his soul! Ameen.  – Muhammad Ibrar Mustafa

Amin was my mentor and friend. Joseph introduced him to me during the TRP orientation session because I am an international student like Amin. I’ve had many long conversations with him, he was very selfless and went out of his way to help others. I’m still shocked and deeply saddened by his passing, it feels so unreal. During his memorial service, while listening to his friends and acquaintances talk about him, I realized that material possessions and academic achievements don’t matter when you’re gone… What matters is how you touched the lives of people you meet every day and what good deeds you do when you’re here. Listening to people speak during his memorial service, I confirmed that Amin was a humble, genuine, kind, and selfless person, and he impacted the lives of people around him positively.

My heart goes out to his family and friends during this time of grief. Rest in peace Amin! – Sidhesh Kumar Jothilingam

I was in a group with Amin in my first year as a TRP student. I remember him as a soft-spoken, kind person who was very passionate about improving patient care. He had similar interests as me- as an IMG, he was working towards getting into a residency program, and he was committed to learning from others. He was a brilliant and empathetic physician.

We lost a great colleague and friend who had so much to give to the world.

We miss you, Amin. – Abimbola Saka

The depth of caring and curiosity that Amin brought to life made the world a better place. He saw the world through the eyes of a child interwoven with the intelligence of a scholar. He loved to learn and TRP was his sandbox.  I will always remember the excitement and his expression when we discovered something together. A few of us visited an innovation space one evening and Amin was like a kid in a candy store. He would say “wasn’t that cool” as his eyes lit up with happiness. He brought a unique perspective and enjoyment to everything he did and everyone who had the privilege to know him. His time here was too short.  Amin’s memory and legacy will live on in all of us. Thank you for the gift you have given to me and the world. – Eric Rotgaus

I remember Amin from the first orientation session at TRP, he sat there and watched us spit-ball ideas for the parking lot redesign. He suggested we think outside the box and offered some suggestions, he watched and listened intently as we collaborated to create our model. We met again at a social-night. He sat at the other end of the table, I had come late after a meeting but he invited me to the table with a smile. He asked questions about my day again and he listened intently. Amin is one of those few people that actually listened when spoken to. He’s listened and internalized what one would say to him. I asked him for advice about TRP and he laughingly said it would all work out and I would find my way. Amin allowed people to be heard. He didn’t know me at all yet he listened and advised me, he was kind to me and he helped me. Amin may your rest in peace you will be forever missed. There is a saying that although people come in and out of our life in different degrees there are some that will forever make a lasting impact – Amin I think our paths were meant to cross, you taught me people can be kind, humble and that people can listen. I will be forever grateful. – In Anonymous Solidarity

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Amin, we are so grateful for having shared our time together. Thank you for your passion and everything you taught us.

– Your TRP Family