Last week marked the end of an era. The teachings of Dr. D (Alexander de Lahunta) have marked decades of veterinary students who graduated from Cornell. If you work with a Cornell veterinary school graduate from the time of Dr. D, you know they can do an excellent, complete neurologic exam. In addition, they will have specific stories related to Dr. D and what he meant for their vet school experience.
My Dr. D Story
My Dr. D story is from first year. He was, of course, legendary and the teacher you hoped would know you for your skill and intelligence. However, the first time he ever recognized me in class was when I showed up in a knee brace after an unfortunate accident in the barn. In his booming Northeast accident, with a big friendly smile in front of the whole class, “Ah, you must be the one who had the run in with the sheep.” Sigh.
While he mostly knew me as the girl with the ovine encounter, I was grateful to know him as an unbelievably committed teacher. I will remember him as the one who spent every Friday doing neuro rounds in the barn, excitedly showing videos, hopping dogs, and recognizing Cornell alums who sent him interesting cases. I will value him as the professor who made every Cornell graduate do a complete neurologic exam on an animal with him, one on one, before they were allowed to graduate. As an alumni, I was grateful when he was willing to continue to help me learn. When I emailed him about an odd neurologic case, he told me to send him the brain. He did the histopathology for free and sent a detailed report because the case was cool.
Lessons Learned
What I learned from Dr. D was more than anatomic neurologic diagnosis. I learned that excellence comes from working hard, being passionate, and always being willing to give something back. Now that I am a faculty member, I hope to also be the sort of supportive teacher who transmits valuable knowledge that sticks for someone’s career.
When we talk about work life balance, many might ask how someone like Dr. D could do what he did. His day started routinely at 3am. He seemed to always be at the vet school. If you reached out to him, he always answered. But he always seemed engaged and fulfilled. People like Dr. D make me question some of the current discussions around burnout and work-life balance. As I have stated before, I think burnout might be more about value conflict and not truly finding your life’s work or purpose. Striving for work life integration may be more important than balance. What made Dr. D excellent was his continuous desire to learn and teach AND his willingness to put in the hours it takes to be truly great.
Carry on the Dr. D Legacy
If you are a Cornell alum taught by Dr. D, let’s carry on his legacy. Teach a vet student or younger associate the Dr. D neuro exam one on one. Find something you are passionate about, put in the time, and share that passion with others. Always be willing to lend a hand. Be willing to smile and laugh at what life brings, even when it involves injuries from sheep.
3 comments
What a great tribute to an amazing teacher!
I never met Dr. De Lahunta, but my teachers at UGA spoke of him in hushed tones. He was clearly an inspiration to many veterinarians and vet school professors. His book on Veterinary Neuroanatomy and Clinical Neurology is one of my most thumbed-through references even today. You were very fortunate to have been taught by him.
Christina Leone, DVM, PhD
I didn’t know Dr D, but I did know & study under one of his contemporaries, Dr Carl Osbourne UMN, whom we students fondly referred to as “Dr K” (Dr Kidney). Like Dr D, Dr K always seemed to have boundless enthusiasm and energy.
I think you’re on to something when you say: “I think burnout might be more about value conflict and not truly finding your life’s work or purpose.” That said, I can’t help but wonder what the majority of spouses and children would say about these icons of dedication to their profession. Life is a challenging balancing act!
“https://vetmed.umn.edu/news/college-mourns-loss-dr-carl-osborne-father-minnesota-urolith-center