鈥淚t is because of Dr Jobe鈥檚 research that many premature infants are alive today, including my older daughter. It has been an honor to take care of Dr Jobe.鈥�
Dr. Alan Jobe is a world-renowned neonatologist and frequent invited guest speaker at various symposiums around the world. You would never guess that nearly six years ago, Dr. Jobe was diagnosed with an aggressive brain tumor and given less than a 20% chance of survival.
Dr. Jobe was out to dinner with a friend when he suddenly lost the ability to use his chopsticks and had to eat with his left hand. The next day, while delivering a lecture to a group of students, a lecture he gave monthly at UC Health in Cincinnati, he lost the ability to speak.
He was rushed to the emergency room under the assumption that he was having a stroke. Imaging revealed that Dr. Jobe had a brain tumor. 鈥淭he doctor came in and said 鈥業 have good news and I have bad news,鈥欌�� said Dr. Jobe. 鈥淗e said 鈥榠t鈥檚 not a stroke, but a tumor.鈥欌��
Dr. Jobe was diagnosed with a glioblastoma, a highly aggressive brain tumor. The median survival for a person diagnosed with this diagnosis is 12-18 months, with only about 5% of patients surviving five years after diagnosis. Dr. Jobe was admitted to the hospital and scheduled for surgery to remove the tumor that was located in his right frontal lobe.
While in the hospital, Dr. Jobe met with Dr. Soma Sengupta and began to see her regularly for care. Following his resection surgery, he received chemo and radiation therapy under the direction of Dr. Sengupta. After relocating to 黑料网 Health in Chapel Hill, Dr. Sengupta continued to monitor Dr. Jobe鈥檚 progress. 鈥淪he has kept track of me even after she moved,鈥� said Dr. Jobe.
As a world-renowned neonatologist, his research in neonatal lung diseases and neonatal-perinatal medicine has led to the survival of thousands of premature infants, including one of Dr. Sengupta鈥檚 daughters. 鈥淚t is because of Dr Jobe鈥檚 research that many premature infants are alive today, including my older daughter,鈥� said Dr. Sengupta. 鈥淚t has been an honor to take care of Dr Jobe.鈥�
In 2023, Dr. Alan Jobe was named the 2024 recipient of the American Pediatric Society鈥檚 John Howland Award, the research honor awarded by the association, recognizing Dr. Jobe for his substantial contributions to advancing child health and the profession of pediatrics. His long list of accolades is well-deserved, recognizing his lasting impact and legacy on research. 鈥淚n 1960, deaths from respiratory distress syndrome was 50% of preterm births and it was 1.6% in 2024,鈥� said Dr. Jobe. 鈥淲e have conquered that disease which was the poster child for neonatal mortality in newborn infants.鈥�
Now, Dr. Jobe has defied his 20% chance of survival. He struggles with his balance, which makes it difficult to do anything outside in the yard or take walks. But that doesn鈥檛 stop Dr. Jobe from traveling, bringing his wheelchair and cane along for support. 鈥淚 can still enjoy my life and cook dinner,鈥� said Dr. Jobe. 鈥淚 have no pain from the tumor. I just have residual paralysis. Given my diagnosis, I am doing remarkably well.鈥�
Dr. Jobe explains that he is not a candidate for clinical trials, and has had the maximum amount of chemo and radiation for treatment. Rather than live in fear of tumor recurrence, he continues to enjoy life with his wife, and by feeding his mind by proofing manuscripts for academic journals and reading the New Yorker and The New York Times.
While Dr. Jobe knows his tumor may eventually grow back, he is enjoying his life with his wife and traveling all over the world. Dr. Jobe recently returned from Milan, Italy where he was invited to be the guest lecturer at another international symposium. He also plans to travel to Europe with his wife for a cruise later this spring. 鈥淚 have friends all over the world,鈥� said Dr. Jobe. 鈥淚 want to continue to travel.鈥�
Written by Makenzie Hardy, Marketing Coordinator, 黑料网 Health Department of Neurosurgery