Gino Alberto, DO ‘83, MPH, took on a frontline position during the COVID-19 pandemic, working in New York during April 2020—the outbreak epicenter.

The choice to work in the epicenter of a global pandemic was tough said the Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine (PCOM) alumnus, but something he knew he had to do.

“I needed to serve my country again,” said the Navy veteran. “That environment and outbreak were so bad, but the staff was tremendously dedicated. We really didn’t know a lot about how to handle the virus, so there was a huge sense of camaraderie. Every day we were pulling articles from every institution around the world. There was nothing solid to treat the patients with. From an intellectual perspective, it was exciting trying to figure out how to address this virus, but the emotional and human side of that was hard—to watch people die without family. It was a big strain emotionally, but the community was overwhelmingly supportive.”

• Learn more about PCOM alumni working on the frontlines to treat COVID-19 patients.

Working quickly and without much information is something Dr. Alberto is well equipped to do. He is board-certified in emergency and occupational medicine and has practiced emergency medicine for much of his career. Over the years he’s trained medical students and residents while practicing medicine. He said his decision to become a faculty member at PCOM South Georgiawas because of his desire to get back to the teaching environment.

“The great thing about teaching is that you take on interested and motivated students and watch them change and grow over a few years,” he said. “They keep me current and ask the ‘why’ question. They teach me a lot, too. Young people just have enthusiasm about what they’re doing. It’s refreshing. It’s their motivation that drives me.”

Dr. Alberto teaches emergency medicine to the Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine students at PCOM South Georgia. He received his undergraduate degree in biology at Gettysburg College and graduated from PCOM with his Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine degree in 1983. He then served in the Navy, working in emergency medicine, for four years.