Donald Laub
Encyclopedia
Donald R. Laub Sr. is a retired plastic surgeon who led multidisciplinary teams on reconstructive surgery missions to developing countries. He completed his undergraduate studies at Marquette University
and earned an MD
from the Marquette University School of Medicine
in 1960. After completing his internship at the Yale School of Medicine, he moved westward to Stanford University, where he assumed an assistant professorship and co-founded a 6 year integrated surgical residency program as well as the Stanford Primacy Care Associate Program. He then served as chief of Plastic Surgery
at Stanford University School of Medicine
from 1968 to 1980, before entering private practice.
In 1965, 13 year-old Antonio Victoria arrived at Stanford University Medical Center from his home in Mexicali
, Mexico
, where his cleft lip and palate had made him a social pariah. He had no education and no chance for social advancement, but was otherwise normal. Another surgeon was able to restore the boy’s appearance with a mere three operations, allowing him to continue in life as a happy, productive member of society where once he had been shunned. Victoria inspired Laub to transition from Physician Researcher to Physician Educator.
In 1969, Laub founded Interplast
(now called ReSurge International) with the mission of transforming lives through the art of plastic and reconstructive surgery. He became the first academic to develop and lead multidisciplinary teams on humanitarian surgical trips to developing countries. Since its inception, Interplast has provided tens of thousands of life-altering operations gratis, established thousands of long-term international professional relationships, and turned on countless of medical professionals to the “helping others” way of life. The original spirit of Interplast has given rise to dozens of independent humanitarian medical organizations worldwide, including Interplast Germany, Interplast Turkey, Interplast Holland, Interplast Italy, Interplast Florida, Interplast West Virginia, Interplast Australia, OneHeart World-Wide, and IVUMed. In their unique ways, they all carry Laub’s vision of healing the world through plastic surgery.
Aside from his notable accomplishments with Interplast, Laub has contributed novel surgical techniques to his field of specialty. He made one of the first academic investigations into the efficacy of treating gender dysphoria with surgery. He pioneered the rectosigmoid vaginoplasty
. He also invented the metoidioplasty
and the post-modern phalloplasty
. Laub’s further professional achievements include developing Q switched ruby laser tattoo removal and the use of medical chemicals to reduce risk of skin cancer while improving cosmetic appearance. From 1981 to 1983, he served as President of HBIGDA, now known as the World Professional Association for Transgender Health.
In 2000, Laub was diagnosed with aggressive intravascular CNS large B cell lymphoma
. After surviving a difficult but successful battle, he dedicated his “second life” to healthier living. He assisted James B. Johnson in developing the alternate day calorie restriction diet, which prescribes a program for weight loss and longevity based on SIRT-1 gene activation.
After completing 159 surgical trips to developing countries, Laub is now focused on mentoring undergraduate and medical students, and conveying the value of students in the field of international health. He has been involved in teaching several courses at Stanford University
, including Principles and Practice of International Humanitarian Medicine. His current project is the blog Many People, Many Passports, which features stories from his career in surgery and international health. He resides in Redwood City, California with his wife Judy.
Marquette University
Marquette University is a private, coeducational, Jesuit, Roman Catholic university located in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Founded by the Society of Jesus in 1881, the school is one of 28 member institutions of the Association of Jesuit Colleges and Universities...
and earned an MD
Doctor of Medicine
Doctor of Medicine is a doctoral degree for physicians. The degree is granted by medical schools...
from the Marquette University School of Medicine
Medical College of Wisconsin
Medical College of Wisconsin is a private, freestanding medical school and graduate school located in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, United States. It was formerly affiliated with Marquette University....
in 1960. After completing his internship at the Yale School of Medicine, he moved westward to Stanford University, where he assumed an assistant professorship and co-founded a 6 year integrated surgical residency program as well as the Stanford Primacy Care Associate Program. He then served as chief of Plastic Surgery
Plastic surgery
Plastic surgery is a medical specialty concerned with the correction or restoration of form and function. Though cosmetic or aesthetic surgery is the best-known kind of plastic surgery, most plastic surgery is not cosmetic: plastic surgery includes many types of reconstructive surgery, hand...
at Stanford University School of Medicine
Stanford University School of Medicine
Stanford University School of Medicine is a leading medical school located at Stanford University Medical Center in Stanford, California. Originally based in San Francisco, California as Cooper Medical College, it is the oldest continuously running medical school in the western United States...
from 1968 to 1980, before entering private practice.
In 1965, 13 year-old Antonio Victoria arrived at Stanford University Medical Center from his home in Mexicali
Mexicali
Mexicali is the capital of the State of Baja California, seat of the Municipality of Mexicali, and 2nd largest city in Baja California. The City of Mexicali has a population of 689,775, according to the 2010 census, while the population of the entire metropolitan area reaches 936,826.The city...
, Mexico
Mexico
The United Mexican States , commonly known as Mexico , is a federal constitutional republic in North America. It is bordered on the north by the United States; on the south and west by the Pacific Ocean; on the southeast by Guatemala, Belize, and the Caribbean Sea; and on the east by the Gulf of...
, where his cleft lip and palate had made him a social pariah. He had no education and no chance for social advancement, but was otherwise normal. Another surgeon was able to restore the boy’s appearance with a mere three operations, allowing him to continue in life as a happy, productive member of society where once he had been shunned. Victoria inspired Laub to transition from Physician Researcher to Physician Educator.
In 1969, Laub founded Interplast
Interplast
Interplast, now called ReSurge International, is the first international humanitarian organization to provide free reconstructive surgery in developing countries, primarily to children with cleft lip and palate and burn scar contractures....
(now called ReSurge International) with the mission of transforming lives through the art of plastic and reconstructive surgery. He became the first academic to develop and lead multidisciplinary teams on humanitarian surgical trips to developing countries. Since its inception, Interplast has provided tens of thousands of life-altering operations gratis, established thousands of long-term international professional relationships, and turned on countless of medical professionals to the “helping others” way of life. The original spirit of Interplast has given rise to dozens of independent humanitarian medical organizations worldwide, including Interplast Germany, Interplast Turkey, Interplast Holland, Interplast Italy, Interplast Florida, Interplast West Virginia, Interplast Australia, OneHeart World-Wide, and IVUMed. In their unique ways, they all carry Laub’s vision of healing the world through plastic surgery.
Aside from his notable accomplishments with Interplast, Laub has contributed novel surgical techniques to his field of specialty. He made one of the first academic investigations into the efficacy of treating gender dysphoria with surgery. He pioneered the rectosigmoid vaginoplasty
Vaginoplasty
thumb|right|300px|Vaginoplasty: the pre-operative aspect , and the post-operative aspect of a [[Labiaplasty|labial reduction]].Vaginoplasty is a reconstructive plastic surgery procedure for correcting the defects and deformities of the vaginal canal and its mucous membrane, and of vulvo-vaginal...
. He also invented the metoidioplasty
Metoidioplasty
Metoidioplasty, sometimes referred to as a meto or meta or spelled "metaoidioplasty", is an alternative to phalloplasty for trans men...
and the post-modern phalloplasty
Phalloplasty
Phalloplasty refers to the construction of a penis or, sometimes, artificial modification of the penis by surgery, often for cosmetic purposes. It is also occasionally used to refer to penis enlargement....
. Laub’s further professional achievements include developing Q switched ruby laser tattoo removal and the use of medical chemicals to reduce risk of skin cancer while improving cosmetic appearance. From 1981 to 1983, he served as President of HBIGDA, now known as the World Professional Association for Transgender Health.
In 2000, Laub was diagnosed with aggressive intravascular CNS large B cell lymphoma
Lymphoma
Lymphoma is a cancer in the lymphatic cells of the immune system. Typically, lymphomas present as a solid tumor of lymphoid cells. Treatment might involve chemotherapy and in some cases radiotherapy and/or bone marrow transplantation, and can be curable depending on the histology, type, and stage...
. After surviving a difficult but successful battle, he dedicated his “second life” to healthier living. He assisted James B. Johnson in developing the alternate day calorie restriction diet, which prescribes a program for weight loss and longevity based on SIRT-1 gene activation.
After completing 159 surgical trips to developing countries, Laub is now focused on mentoring undergraduate and medical students, and conveying the value of students in the field of international health. He has been involved in teaching several courses at Stanford University
Stanford University
The Leland Stanford Junior University, commonly referred to as Stanford University or Stanford, is a private research university on an campus located near Palo Alto, California. It is situated in the northwestern Santa Clara Valley on the San Francisco Peninsula, approximately northwest of San...
, including Principles and Practice of International Humanitarian Medicine. His current project is the blog Many People, Many Passports, which features stories from his career in surgery and international health. He resides in Redwood City, California with his wife Judy.