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Three current alumni recently paid tribute to David Albala '78, professor of urology and head of minimally invasive surgery at Duke University Medical Center, for his valuable mentoring during their summer internships with him. To symbolize the many hours he spent with them, Jodi Antonelli '02, Nadav Adiv '00, and Kevin R. Rice '01 presented Albala with a clock at the spring awards banquet of the David K. McDonogh Health Professions Society, an organization of alumni supporting students interested in pursuing careers in the health professions.
Alabala estimates that he has hosted ten to 12 Lafayette student interns, including three this summer: neuroscience majors Keith O'Brien '03 and Jill Krapf '03, and biology major Shelley Jazowski '03. His interns work in the laboratory with technology such as lasers, conduct research and experimental surgery using new techniques, watch surgeries in the operating room, and observe Albala's interaction in the clinic. All of his internship graduates have gained acceptance into medical school.
Antonelli, who will enroll in Jefferson Medical College in Philadelphia this fall, worked with Albala for three summers.
“In addition to learning a tremendous amount about urology and kidney transplants, I learned so much about what it takes to be a physician,” she says. “I met medical students and residents while with Dr. Albala and heard about their experiences. Also, Dr. Albala made a point to include the students in every aspect of his practice so that we could really get a sense of what it is like to be a doctor.”
Her favorite parts of the internship, says Antonelli, were observing “countless surgeries,” including two live-donor kidney transplant operations and cutting edge laproscopic kidney removals, and being listed as an author in several publications for which she conducted research.
“The thing I appreciate most about Dr. Albala is his enthusiasm for his career,” she says. “He has done everything he can to foster our interest in medicine. In addition to opening his clinics, operating rooms, and lab to us, he has opened his home to us as well. He has been a mentor not only during the summers, but over the past three years, he has always been available to give advice.”
Aviv, who spent four summers with Albala and will enter Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine this fall, says he learned a great deal about the field of urology through many hours of research during the internship. Some of Aviv's surgery incorporated fibrin glue, a new substance made from compounds in the body that is used to seal kidneys. He also helped produce instructional videos featuring procedures performed and narrated by Albala.
“We spent a lot of time with him and got to know him very well,” he says. “He's become a mentor and a friend. As an intern, you're not a guest — you're a part of the team. He expects you to be involved and proactive; he relies on you. He takes your ambitions really seriously.”
“When you reach a certain level and are comfortable with yourself, you do things for people underneath you to help them succeed,” says Albala. “The nicest thing is when they all get into medical school. Jody and Nadav want to go into urology. There's no bigger compliment than when others look at you as a role model.”
“Over the years, my Lafayette education has provided me with a firm foundation on which to grow and become creative,” he adds.
Albala earned his M.D. from the College of Human Medicine, Michigan State University in 1983. He pioneered the use of laparoscopic surgery in removing kidneys and adrenal glands and was a 1995-96 White House Fellow assigned to the Department of Transportation. He has published over 70 papers in peer-reviewed journals, has written two books, and is editor of Techniques in Urology.
Those honored at the Health Professions Society banquet included Antonelli, who won the Dr. & Mrs. David Schwimmer '36 Prize in honor of Theodore A. Distler, awarded to the premedical student who best represents the humanitarian, cultural, and scientific qualities required of the true physician; Janna Pachuski '02, who earned the Joseph Watt Keubler, Jr. Memorial Prize, given to the senior biology major who has the highest scholastic average and will be entering medical school; and Wilbur W. Oaks '51, who received the first Distinguished Service Award for his long history of assistance to students in the health professions.
The Health Professions Society is named after David K. McDonogh, a former slave who earned a bachelor of arts degree from Lafayette in 1844.
David Albala ’78 (center) was presented with an award by Kevin Rice ’01 (L-R), Nadav Adiv ’00, Jodi Antonelli ’02, and Jeffrey Weinstein ’02 during the health professions award banquet.