Brief Biography of Professor Gholamreza Khatami

The Father of Pediatric Gastroenterology in Iran

Birth and Early EducationProfessor
Gholamreza Khatami was born in 1930 into a religious family in the city of Rasht. He spent his childhood with his family and completed his primary and secondary education at Tarbiyat School in Rasht. He then entered the Rasht Boys’ Teacher Training College and, after one year, moved to Tehran to complete his second year at the Tehran Boys’ Teacher Training College.
Entry into the Medical

ProfessionAfter completing his secondary education, he took the national medical entrance exam in 1949 and was admitted to study medicine. He pursued his general medical education at the University of Tehran and earned his Doctor of Medicine degree in 1955. Upon graduation, he was dispatched as a general practitioner to Ilam, where he served under challenging conditions.
Pediatric Specialty and Advanced Training

In 1959, he was accepted into the pediatric specialty program and began his residency under the supervision of Professor Mohammad Gharib, the Father of Pediatrics in Iran. After completing the residency, upon Professor Gharib’s recommendation, he traveled to the United Kingdom to pursue further training in pediatric gastroenterology at the Royal Hospital for Sick Children in Edinburgh.Upon his return to Iran, he began teaching and conducting research at the Tehran Children’s Medical Center.
Scientific and Executive Contributions
Founder of the pediatric gastroenterology subspecialty in Iran (1984) and trainer of multiple generations of specialists in this field.
Translator of Nelson Textbook of Pediatrics (the leading global reference in pediatric medicine) into Persian in two volumes, first published in 1968 — the first comprehensive pediatrics reference book in Iran.
Founder of the Iranian Society of Pediatric Gastroenterology and Hepatology in 2004, serving as its president until 2018.
President of the Iranian Pediatricians Society in 2009.
Member of the Board of Directors of the Iranian Medical Council.
Contributor to national programs aimed at reducing child mortality.
Recipient of the Professor Gharib Award for excellence in medical ethics and outstanding service.
Work Style and Ethical Values

Professor Khatami followed the medical ethics and professional principles of Professor Gharib, emphasizing preventive care, community-oriented medicine, and respect for patients. He was dedicated to advancing pediatric medical education through the translation of reputable textbooks and the organization of scientific conferences.
Professor Gholamreza Khatami is recognized as one of the most distinguished figures in Iranian pediatrics. His contributions to the development of pediatric gastroenterology and his efforts to reduce child mortality have left a lasting impact on child health in Iran.