Emory says physician tied to Iranian official no longer employed after protest
Emory University confirms that a physician who is the daughter of a senior Iranian government official is no longer employed by the university, following protests outside one of its cancer facilities last week.
In an email sent to medical school faculty on Friday, Emory University School of Medicine Dean Sandra Wong said the doctor is no longer a university employee. The announcement came after a Jan. 19 protest outside Emory's Winship Cancer Institute, where Iranian-American demonstrators gathered to oppose her employment.
The physician, Fatemeh Ardeshir-Larijani, is the daughter of Ali Larijani, Iran's secretary of the Supreme Council for National Security — the body responsible for the country's defense and national security matters. Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei approved Larijani's appointment to the role in August 2025.
Before her departure, Ardeshir-Larijani served as an assistant professor in the Department of Hematology and Medical Oncology at Emory's medical school. As of Friday, her faculty and Emory Healthcare profile pages were no longer publicly accessible.
In a statement to CBS News Atlanta, Emory University confirmed the change in employment but declined to provide further details.
"A physician who is the daughter of a senior Iranian government official is no longer an employee of Emory," the university said. "Because this is a personnel matter, we are unable to provide additional information."
The statement added that Emory remains committed to its mission of patient care, research, and education, noting that all employees are hired in compliance with state and federal laws.
The decision comes amid ongoing unrest in Iran and heightened scrutiny of Iranian government officials and their connections abroad.
Georgia congressman calls for removal of Emory doctor
U.S. Representative Buddy Carter announced on X (formerly Twitter) that he sent a letter to Emory University and the Georgia Composite Medical Board demanding the removal of Dr. Fatemeh Ardeshir-Larijani and the revocation of her medical license.
Carter cited concerns over Dr. Ardeshir-Larijani's familial connection to Ali Larijani, a senior official of the Islamic Republic of Iran, whom Carter claims "openly calls for violence against Americans."
In his statement, Carter asserted, "Her ties to the largest state sponsor of terrorism are unacceptable and serve only to erode patient safety, public trust, and national security."
Emory University and the Georgia Composite Medical Board have not yet issued public responses to Carter's letter.
We will continue to follow this story as it develops.
