Professor leaves mark on USD

85-year-old Dr. Laurence Savett, Ph.D., finishes lifelong career in education and returns home

Sabrina Alterman / Asst. Feature Editor / The USD Vista

From student to professor, Dr. Laurence Savett, Ph.D., comes full circle in ending his accomplished career as both a registered physician and educator. 

After completing his third year of teaching “The Human Side of Medicine: Learning What It’s Like to be a Patient and What It’s Like to be a Physician” at the University of San Diego, Savett returned home to St. Paul, Minn. with his wife Sue Savett. He leaves students feeling inspired and motivated to continue pursuing careers in health care. 

One such student is sophomore Marin Auth, who expressed the intellectual growth she experienced after taking Savett’s course.  

“The seminar was super interesting and insightful,” Auth said. “I think I have a better understanding of the doctor-patient relationship and what it means to navigate that relationship in both a compassionate and professional way.”

Savett grew up in Utica, N.Y. with his two parents and younger sister. He attended Hamilton College, a small all-male liberal arts school in upstate New York, where he was a chemistry major and German minor. In addition, the small class sizes and liberal arts curriculum equipped him with “transferable skills,” such as public speaking, philosophy, and writing, that benefited him in his long career in medicine.

Savett vividly recalled the impact a favorite German professor had on his college experience.

“I liked the professor so much I took semester after semester with him,” Savett said.

Though he was an excellent student, Savett does wish he received a bit more guidance.

“I wish there was someone who had sat me down and addressed the broad question, ‘Are you making an informed choice of your career?’” Savett said. 

In the process of pursuing his passion in his career as a physician, Savett explored the world of medical care and experienced the satisfaction of a profession centered in the care for other human beings. Seeing the direct results of his work in his patients grew Savett’s lifelong love for helping those around him.

“You need the reinforcement of doing your work well and the pleasure of your work being successful,” Savett said. 

His desire to help others turned into a desire to teach and guide pre-health students, motivating him to recycle his experience by writing his novel entitled “The Human Side of Medicine: Learning What It’s Like to be a Patient and What It’s Like to be a Physician.” In addition, Savett designed a college-level course aimed at encouraging students to reflect upon their future careers. 

“Your goal should be the career that will give you fulfillment and will also allow you to have a balanced life,” Savett said. “If you are thinking of a career, learn all that you can about it by following a person who does that. Talk about the daily life with that person.”

Savett’s lectures enticed students because of his honesty and high level of respect he gave to students. Additionally, he made sure to use his position to inspire students pursuing careers in all fields, not just medical science.

“I hope that regardless of what career they are headed that this is one step that helps them to make an informed decision,” Savett said. “Even if they don’t end up in a health-related career, I hope that it provides a model for them to consider whatever career they think about.”

Junior Natalie Varterian noted the efficacy of his caring approach to teaching students, no matter what their prospective career path.

“Dr. Savett is very enthusiastic and compassionate not only with his patients, but with his students as well,” Varterian said.

As a testament to his humility, Savett repeatedly stated that he appreciates learning from his students. Even though he ran a successful practice for 30 years and had decades of experience under his belt, he refused to stand during lectures to demonstrate the mutual level of respect he aimed to establish, rather remaining seated at eye-level with his students. Savett also continuously thanked students for displaying vulnerability when they shared personal experiences with health and sickness.

For the final lecture, Savett was accompanied by his wife, Sue Savett, who brought cookies and refreshments for the entire class. She emphasized how thankful Savett was to be teaching students who were once just like him. His advice, mentorship, and compassion has left a lasting impression on many students.