Houman Farzin, MD, MS ‘08
Meet Houman Farzin, MD, MS '08, an Attending Physician in the Division of Palliative Care at Jewish General Hospital, Faculty Lecturer in the Department of Family Medicine at McGill University, and Founder & Chief Medical Officer of Mystic. Health.
What is your current job, and what made you pursue this career?
I am a physician specializing in family medicine, palliative care, and psychedelic medicine. I am the founder and chief medical officer of Mystic Health. My vision for this practice is that of holistic mind-body medicine, where we address the neurobiological aspects of disease and the psychospiritual dimensions of health and wellness. My attraction to pursuing a degree in nutrition at IHN was related to observing the benefits of a healthy diet on myself and wanting to apply that in my future practice. That is part of the reason I co-founded Injoy, a digital health tool that utilizes artificial intelligence to help people understand the connections between their diet, lifestyle, digestive symptoms, and microbiome.
How has the IHN helped you in your career?
The IHN served as a launchpad for my professional development as a physician. I enrolled intending to apply to medical school afterward, and was looking for a program that would adequately prepare me for the transition. My experience at the IHN had multiple positive layers of impact on my career. I learned to adapt to a high course load, enhanced my research skills, and benefited from exceptional mentorship from the faculty.
What knowledge did you learn in the program that you continue to apply in your work today?
Perhaps one of the most significant takeaways from the program was learning to have a critical and objective lens on clinical and scientific research. Dr. Sekhar Ramakrishnan's lessons were profound, as they fundamentally changed my outlook on evidence-based medicine. I was extremely fortunate to have him as my thesis mentor and am indebted to him for his mentorship.
Is there a memory that stands out from your time at IHN?
Some of my fondest memories are my interactions with the late director, Dr. Richard Deckelbaum. He was charismatic, and many found him intimidating, including me. I knew he was a McGill Medicine alumnus, and I wanted his support for my application process to my top school. I remember how nervous I was when approaching him to request a meeting, but I was pleasantly surprised to see his gentle and supportive response. He went out of his way to help me achieve my dreams, and I will forever cherish his memory.