Blaise Vitale (Blaise Vitagliano)
College of Agriculture & Life Sciences
Tell us about what you're doing with your life
I have been practicing general Family Medicine in a National Health Service Community of 1300 people for 31 years (after originally signing up for 3 years to get my student loans paid off). Two years ago, I was commissioned as a Major in the Wisconsin Army National Guard. I was deployed to Kuwait in January 2023.
What was your favorite class at Cornell, or the one you found the most useful?
Genetics – If I hadn’t gotten into medical school, I probably would have pursued a PhD in Genetics.
What is your favorite memory of your time at Cornell?
Nobel Laureate Roald Hoffman speaking at a semi-formal dinner at my fraternity.
Socializing with friends at the Connection
Mardi Gras!
Which Cornell classmates do you keep in touch with?
David Jackson ’84, Jose Nieves ’84, David Bronstein ‘84, Lance Fortnow ’85, William Hughes ‘82
What advice would you give to a student starting at Cornell this year?
Try to take advantage of all the special opportunities Cornell offers.
What extracurricular activity or hobby from your time at Cornell was the most meaningful?
My Fraternity – Kappa Delta Rho
If you could change anything about your Cornell experience, what would it be?
If I had known that I was going to get into medical school, I would have had a lot more fun!
What random or surprising encounters with Cornell or Cornellians have you experienced since you left?
Meeting two Cornellians at the top of Mount Moosilauke during my Appalachian Trail Thru-hike.
During a summer during medical school, I did some cancer research. One weekend, we drove from Stony Brook/Brookhaven National Labs up to Cornell to do some research at the Cyclotron (which I hadn’t even known existed when I was at Cornell).
What does being a Cornell alumnus mean to you?
Giving back for the incredible opportunity Cornell gave to me.
What are you most looking forward to at Reunion 2024?
Socializing with highly educated people (as my current home area has a very low percentage of college-educated people).