Alumnus Relives his Stritch Days Through Scholarship Program

Nourished by his memories of academics and spiritual awareness at Loyola University Chicago Stritch School of Medicine (Stritch) in the 1940s, Seymour Alban, MD, shared the inspiration behind his scholarships for students attending his alma mater.

“My senior year of medical school was the best year of my life,” he told three current recipients of the Alban Medical Scholarship Fund, all seniors, during the 2006 Stritch Reunion last fall. “I enjoyed every class and every experience at Stritch during my four years. By my senior year I felt blessed because I had gained so much information, not only in practical medical knowledge but also about the spiritual needs of patients and the importance of the patient-physician relationship.

Dr. Alban credited the Stritch faculty with not only educating him to treat the whole patient, but also welcoming him into the Loyola family. I hope my scholarships will help students feel as welcome at Stritch as I did,” he said.

One of just two Jewish students in the graduating class of 1946, Dr. Alban provides scholarships to Jewish students each year. Since the Alban Medical Scholarship Fund began in 1991, 25 students have received scholarships totaling $86,649. The individual scholarships range from $500 to $8,500.

“I was fortunate to be able to attend Stritch through military scholarships,” Dr. Alban said. “I know federal scholarships are getting more difficult to obtain, so I wanted to do something for those who followed me and might have the need for a stipend.”
 
Three of the six students currently receiving the scholarships were on hand to thank Dr. Alban during the fall reunion weekend:

• Danielle Goss, a fourth-year student from Glencoe, Ill., who is specializing in physical medicine and rehabilitation
• Karen Hoffman, a fourth-year student from Lincolnwood, Ill., who is specializing in emergency medicine
• Nora Joseph, a fourth-year student from Glencoe, Ill., who is specializing in pathology

“The scholarship alleviated some stress about my student debt and finances,” said Ms. Joseph. “Plus it’s an honor to receive a scholarship from a physician; it’s like a sign that you’ve been accepted as a future physician.”

“When a scholarship comes from a physician it’s special because you know he’s sharing his hard-earned money to assist you,” added Ms. Goss. “It’s a bonus that the donor is a Stritch graduate who enjoyed his educational experience. It gives you a good feeling about where you are headed in your education and career.”

Life After Stritch
Following an internship at Cook County Hospital and a two-year residency at Michael Reese Hospital in Chicago, Dr. Alban decided he wanted to live in California. He took a job with the Veterans Administration (VA) Medical Center in Los Angeles and has lived on the West Coast ever since. After working at the VA he joined his brother’s orthopaedic practice in Long Beach, Calif., where he specialized in spine surgery. At age 81 he is still working part-time and his son, Joseph Alban, MD, who graduated from Stritch in 1982, has joined the orthopaedic practice. Dr. Alban’s brother also attended Stritch; the late Harry Alban, MD, was a graduate of the Class of 1934. “It’s a family legacy to go to Stritch,” Dr. Alban said. 

Dr. Alban described himself as an “old school doctor” who always put patient care first. “I never asked patients if they had insurance before I treated them,” he said. “So I never thought I’d make money practicing medicine. When I did make money, I wanted to give back to the school that made it all possible. ”     

Dr. Alban enjoys visiting with students who receive his assistance because it gives human faces to his donations. He quoted a favorite saying to explain his philosophy on philanthropic giving. “It’s better to be giving while you’re still living, so you’re knowing where it’s going,” he said, laughing.

While at the reunion, Dr. Alban expressed his satisfaction in being able to help Stritch students. “I’m so happy to be at the reunion to see how Stritch has blossomed, and I want to do more to help the students,” he said. “It’s a world-class school now, and I’m so proud to be an alumnus.”

For more information on the Stritch Scholarship Program or remainder trusts, contact the Office of Development at development@lumc.edu or (708) 216-3201.

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