Dr. Niran Al-Agba

A Tear and A Smile: A Eulogy for My Father

It is in heartfelt gladness we should celebrate and remember my father, Dr. Saad Al-Agba. He knew the souls of the children for whom he cared would dwell in a future he would never see; yet, he accepted while he could not visit that tomorrow, even in his dreams, he could touch it in a small way through his connection with each and every one of us. He freely shared his tears and his smiles with so many and for that; I thank God from the bottom of my grieving heart.

Niran Al-Agba2020-05-26T02:06:24+00:00November 14, 2017|Categories: Physician|Tags: Fathers, Grief, Loss, Physician Death|

Talking with a Four-Year-Old About Death and the Silver Can

After my father passed away, each child has grieved in their own way, sharing things about him they will miss most, while my four year old has only said “I am sad papa died, mommy.” Knowledgeable on the developmental capacity at the tender age of 4, I considered excluding my youngest from the graveside service last week on the presumption he didn’t “need’ to see a process which he could not place in a larger context. That decision would have been short sighted. Instead, I asked my youngest child if he wanted to attend the service. He chose to go with all of us to the cemetery. It was a solemn affair and the children understood the significance of the occasion.

Niran Al-Agba2020-05-31T00:25:18+00:00November 8, 2017|Categories: Physician|Tags: Grief, Loss, Parenting, Physician Death|

Bronx-Lebanon Hospital: Believe Them the First Time

I remember the first time someone threatened my life as a physician. It was my day off, so I was not in the clinic that day; a Children’s Hospital specialty group was working there instead, and after a staff member called the police, she notified me. A father had walked in saying he wanted to kill me for “taking his children away from him.” Wracking my brain as to this man’s identity, I drew a blank.

Niran Al-Agba2020-05-14T03:49:19+00:00July 6, 2017|Categories: Physician, Practice|Tags: Gun Violence, Injury Prevention, Patient Physician Relationship, Physician Death, Physician Safety|