A Letter From Our Founder

Dear friend,

I am honoured to be part of FarNova’s leadership and to contribute to an organization that is deeply meaningful to myself and to the Persian-Canadian community.

My journey has taken me across countries, cultures, and many different areas of medicine. Born in Shiraz, Iran, I left Iran in 1978 to pursue my medical education in India, where I earned my MBBS and subsequently completed my specialty training in ophthalmology. I continued my professional journey in England before eventually making Canada my home. In Canada, I completed my training in family medicine in 2001 with additional training in psychiatry with the Canadian Mental Health Network, as well as further training in homeopathy and Ayurvedic Medicine. Since then, I have had the privilege of building a career as a physician, educator, examiner, and medical leader.

Throughout my career, I have cared for patients, taught medical students and internationally trained physicians, and served in a variety of leadership roles within the medical community. Additionally, I have been on the board of directors of Hagersville Hospital and the Family Medicine Association of Hamilton. I also worked as the lead physician of a Family Health Group and currently serve as the lead physician of a Family Health Organization. These experiences have taught me that meaningful change begins when people are willing to take responsibility, serve their communities, create opportunities, and stand beside those who need support to empower them.

My connection to Iran has always remained an important part of who I am. Although Canada is my home, Iran will always be in my heart. No matter where I am or how many years pass, I remain deeply connected to my heritage and passionate about promoting the safety, well-being, and success of Persians everywhere.

In 2022, following the death of Mahsa Amini and the widespread uprising that followed in Iran, I became increasingly concerned about the profound trauma and psychological distress experienced by Iranians, both within Iran and around the world. I became active on X (formerly Twitter), using my platform to raise awareness, provide support, and encourage people experiencing severe emotional distress to seek help. During this time, I witnessed firsthand how trauma, fear, isolation, and hopelessness could affect individuals and families. I also became involved in efforts to help people through suicidal crises.

Through these experiences, I came to recognize the strength and resilience that exists within Persian culture and within our community. I became passionate about promoting values such as resilience, personal responsibility, gratitude, critical thinking, and taking meaningful action. I believe that while it is important to acknowledge the problems our communities face, we must also empower people to look toward solutions and recognize their own ability to create positive change.

These experiences ultimately helped inspire the creation of FarNova —Farhang Novin– which started as a small group in 2022 and has since become a registered organization in 2025.

FarNova was founded with the vision of empowering Persian communities to overcome challenges, including mental and physical health difficulties, within the broader societies in which we live. Through education, community support, and the promotion of resilience and constructive action, we hope to strengthen individuals and families while also educating broader society about the values and experiences that shape our community.

FarNova represents more than an organization to me. It represents community, connection, and hope. It represents the belief that our cultural heritage can be a source of strength and that, by supporting and educating one another, we can help our communities thrive.

As a member of FarNova’s leadership, I will contribute my experience, knowledge, and commitment to building a strong and sustainable organization capable of serving Persian immigrants and citizens across Canada and beyond.

I am proud to be part of this journey, and I look forward to helping build a future in which Persians feel safe and able to thrive.

Dr. Roya F. Dehghani Yar

FOUNDER & BOARD MEMBER FarNova

MBBS, MD (Ophthalmology), CCFP