Student Doctor Parisa Mirjalili

Northwest Osteopathic Foundation General Scholarship Recipient

Parisa Mirjalili is a second-year medical student at Western University of Health Sciences – COMP-Northwest, deeply committed to service, mentorship, and long-term wellness for underserved populations.

Parisa’s dedication to helping others began early. In middle and high school, she stayed after class to tutor classmates who were struggling—many facing family instability that made school difficult. She continued this passion in high school and college, offering free tutoring to students who could not afford private help. One formative experience was mentoring a recently immigrated mother returning to school; by meeting twice a week, Parisa helped her progress from failing grades to success and, more importantly, restored her confidence. That experience solidified Parisa’s belief in the transformative power of consistent mentorship and advocacy.

At WesternU COMP-Northwest, Parisa now serves as head student government leader, representing both the College of Osteopathic Medicine and the College of Physical Therapy. She has organized collaborative events between programs, advocated for stronger clinical rotation sites in the Northwest, and worked to expand opportunities for students to train and serve in the region.

Parisa also mentors pre-medical students, guiding them through applications and interviews while introducing them to osteopathic principles of compassion and whole-person care. Seeing her mentees gain confidence—and one recently earn her first osteopathic medical school interview—has been especially rewarding.

Through every role, Parisa has learned that service is not a single act but a way of life. She feels most fulfilled when helping others grow, and she plans to bring that philosophy into her medical practice—combining advocacy, education, and compassionate care to leave every patient stronger than when she met them.