N.J. Woman, A Valedictorian Ready To Cure Diseases, Dies In Avalanche

Being a valedictorian at a New Jersey high school, a National Merit finalist and an Ivy League grad wasn't enough for Lauren Zeitels. She wanted to eradicate disease, too.

Now Zeitels, a "vibrant, young physician-scientist" who was in the second year of the Massachusetts General Hospital Internal Medicine Residency Program, is gone, felled by a deadly avalanche in Canada.

"She was a ... strong advocate for scientific investigation driven by curiosity, and fueled by a desire to offer hope to those suffering from disease," according to a Massachusetts General Hospital release.

Lauren Zeitels and Victor Fedorov, internal medicine residents at the hospital, died in the avalanche at Banff National Park in Alberta, Canada, that may have occurred on March 12, according to the Boston Globe. Their bodies were recovered several days later.

That adventurous spirit, however, was duly noted by those who knew her.

"Lauren enthusiastically embraced all life had to offer. She loved people, science, travel, and experiencing new cultures," according to the hospital release.

Zeitels, 32, grew up in Pennsylvania and New Jersey and graduated from Watchung Hills Regional High School in Warren in 2002 as class valedictorian, according to New Jersey Hills Media Group.

As a sophomore, she spent the summer at the Waksman Institute of Microbiology as a Waksman Student Scholar, working on "cutting-edge research in genetics," according to the report.

As a senior, she was appointed to the National Youth Science Camp that takes place in West Virginia, according to the report. She was also presented with an honorable mention for her essay in the annual DuPont Science Essay Challenge, a competition drawing 5,000 youths nationwide.

Zeitels ultimately parlayed that science success into obtaining her undergraduate degree from the University of Pennsylvania in biochemistry.

In addition to a masters in philosophy from the University of Cambridge as a Gates Cambridge Scholar, she completed her medical and doctoral degrees at the Johns Hopkins School of Medicine before she came to Massachusetts General, according to the hospital.

Zeitels' doctoral research focused on human genetics where she studied the role of a certain type of colorectal cancer.

"Lauren was an exemplary teacher, known for weaving an understanding of science and pathophysiology with clinical pearls to further the care of her patients," according to the hospital.

Zeitels and Fedorov were described as leaders in the Massachusetts General Hospital's Department of Medicine Pathways service and "were excited to grow and lead this initiative."

"Lauren sought to bring the spirit of scientific inquiry back to the bedside while advancing the ability to serve patients," according to the hospital.

The hospital said the initiative will have a tremendous impact on the Internal Medicine Residency Program and the opportunities for physician-scientists across Massachusetts General. "Her passion for what academic medicine could be was infectious, invigorating and inspiring," according to the hospital.

The hospital named its "Pathways Fund" after her and asked people to donate to the research in her memory. Click here to find out more.

"Her dedication to delivering compassionate care of the highest quality coupled with a resolve to understand and find answers to poorly understood diseases are the legacy that she leaves at Mass General – indeed, at every place she touched," according to the hospital. "Her loss has been intensely felt across Massachusetts General Hospital."

Photo courtesy of Massachusetts General Hospital