By Kiara Harris

 The Heudebert family pose in front of a painting of Tavo located in BDB Conference Room 334. L to R: Alonso, Tavo, and JP Heudebert

When the elevator doors opened to the residency hall on the third floor of the Boshell Diabetes Building, a wave of laughter filled the previously quiet hallway. Gustavo “Tavo” Heudebert entered the conference room with a cheerful smile. Following behind were Alonso Heudebert with a Christmas sweater in hand, and JP Heudebert, bashfully amused by the pictures that decorated the walls. One by one, the Heudeberts claimed their seats around the large wooden table. Each sat with their hands resting comfortably on their stomachs and leaned ever so slightly to the left.

As the interview began, the Heudeberts’ story unfolded, highlighting how Tavo’s enthusiasm for patient care and medical education inspired the next generation of physicians — right inside his home.

Discovering Purpose

A native of Peru, Tavo does not recall exactly what motivated him to pursue medicine. “The only remote explanation is that my father was a sick person,” he explains, “Other than that, I haven’t the foggiest idea.”

Tavo began his career at the Universidad Peruana Cayetano Heredia in Lima, Peru, where he completed his medical degree. He continued his training at Henry Ford Hospital in Detroit, Michigan, and completed his fellowship at the Medical College of Wisconsin.

In 1995, Tavo joined the UAB Division of General Internal Medicine. In the years that followed, he held numerous leadership positions including Internal Medicine Residency Program Director, Vice Chair for Education in the Department of Medicine, and Assistant Dean of Graduate Medical Education for the School of Medicine. Additionally, he has held the Tinsley Harrison Endowed Chair for Medical Education Research and received numerous honors which highlight his commitment to medical education including Best Teacher, Best Attending, and Best Doctor in America awards.

Tavo's passion for his career has inspired his children Alonso and JP Heudebert to pursue careers in medicine as well.

“If you ask my wife, she will insist that I was actively recruiting them from very young. I don’t remember doing that, but I could be wrong,” Tavo says with laughter.

Alonso agrees that his father was recruiting, but does not believe it was intentional, “I think he was just showing us how much he loved what he does.”

Alonso is a graduate of the Frederick P. Whiddon College of Medicine at the University of South Alabama. After completing his residency at Washington University in St. Louis, he joined UAB’s faculty where he currently serves as a clinician-educator in the Division of General Internal Medicine. He says watching his father’s enthusiasm while working made medicine an attractive career.

“Everything Alonso said about our father is absolutely true,” adds Tavo's youngest son, JP. “He told us find something we’re passionate about and don’t half pursue it. Whatever we do, go for go for it intensely.”

This was a message Alonso reiterated when JP was working to get into medical school. JP faced challenges while trying pass the Medical College Association Test. He credits his brother for encouraging him to continue medicine.

“I remember distinctly sitting down and him telling me that test numbers are not what makes a good doctor. If this is what I really wanted, then that could not be the thing that stopped me!”

Prioritizing Purpose

In addition to recognizing the joy their father found in medicine, Alonso and JP noticed Tavo's intentional efforts to create a healthy work-life balance, a quality that further contributed to their desire to become physicians.

JP recalls a time when Tavo would collect medical journals and keep them on a side table in the family’s home. After a long day of working, he would go home and study the journals. “You could see his mind still ticking,” JP remembers. Eventually, Tavo decided to ban the journals from his home. “He made a very visible demonstration that family comes first,” says JP.

Alonso notes that the modern work environment is not built to keep work and home separate. “Dad was the first person to tell me that medicine can be a ‘cruel mistress.’ You have to be very careful. It’s great to find a job that you love, but it is very easy for that passion to take over your life.”

Even recognizing the challenge of keeping family first, it was still hard work. All the Heudebert men credit wife and mother Carmen for helping Tavo maintain balance and set a positive example. "I am immensely proud of my three children and thankful to my wife," professes Tavo. 

Defining Purpose During Tragedy

By 2020, it was clear that the Heudeberts shared a common passion for medicine. JP was finishing his first year of medical school; Alonso was entering his second year as faculty at UAB; Tavo was serving as the interim dean of the Montgomery Regional Medical Campus. Then, the COVID-19 pandemic struck the world.

Though reports suggests that nearly 1 in 5 healthcare workers left their jobs due to pandemic-related causes, the Heudebert trio agree that the unprecedent events further solidified their purpose within their careers.

Tavo and Alonso say that the pandemic did not change the way they perceived medicine. Instead, it changed everything around medicine. The camaraderie between medical students, residents, and faculty was altered due to safety precautions which left some feeling isolated. Alonso highlights that the pandemic further emphasized the importance of finding fulfillment in your personal life.

JP also describes the pandemic as isolating. However, he appreciates the unique insight he gained from his perspective as an aspiring Emergency Medicine physician. “Patients were lining the hallways, and it was a bit harrowing, but the experience helped me realize that when disaster happens, the ER will be one of the first places that sees the greatest disruption.”

When asked whether the Heudeberts questioned their role in medicine at any point of the pandemic, each Heudebert confirms they remained committed. “We’re here for a reason, to serve our patients,” says Tavo.

A Place That Fosters Purpose

The Heudebert family has been connected to UAB for nearly 30 years. They each have unique experiences at UAB.

Tavo states that from the beginning, UAB has been able to provide him, and physicians like him, a space to grow to the best of their potential in a superb environment. “I came here as a funded investigator. The division director saw that I was doing well in that area, but exceptionally well in medical education. Although he had invested in bringing me to UAB through the health services and research pathway, he quickly allowed me to move into medical education.” The mentorship and consistent dedication to the development of residents and junior faculty is a UAB attribute Tavo believes is not common at all institutions.

“UAB is so many things, and my experience is a small part of that,” says Alonso. “When I was searching for a job, my division director Dr. Carlos Estrada really worked to try to make a position for me where I was supported to branch into the roles I love.” He continues by acknowledging how valuable it is to be surrounded by renowned educators. “It’s hard to emulate that while still keeping the culture and collegiately we have at UAB.”

JP details how interviewing for his residency gave him a new appreciation for what UAB offers. “Something that I’ve noted is that the medical school we have here has a very diverse faculty. I didn’t quite realize how important it was to me until I was much further along in this interview trail.” He continues, “On top of that, I was very fortunate to have incredible faculty that have such a passion for education.”

The Legacy

Describing how he hopes to be remembered, Tavo says, “Hopefully, I transmitted the sacred duty and responsibility we have to our patients, as well as showed others that it is a tremendous joy and privilege to help train the next generation of physicians.”

In this case, Tavo’s unwavering dedication to patient care and clinical education has not only inspired the next generation of UAB medical trainees, it has inspired a new generation of Heudebert physicians as well. “Having a father who treats medicine like it’s the most important thing he does besides his family, and the reverence he has for it, really affects you,” Alonso concludes.