Dr. Lauro Debosis Storm Halstead

1936 - 2022

Halstead

Dr. Lauro deBosis Storm Halstead

A Celebration of Life was recently held for Dr. Lauro deBosis Storm Halstead in Peru, Vermont. Dr. Halstead, a nationally known physician in identifying and treating post-polio syndrome, died at his home in Washington, DC on January 5, 2022. He was born in Bronxville, NY on February 27, 1936 and was the son of Gordon B. and Helen H. Halstead. He received a BA degree from Haverford College, his MD degree from the University of Rochester Medical School and an MPH from Harvard University School of Public Health.

Recovering from polio in his early 20's inspired Dr. Halstead to pursue a career in medicine, but a recurrence of symptoms and progressive disability in his 50's led to him identifying post-polio syndrome. His research, informed by his personal experience, contributed significantly to the basic understanding of this syndrome and to treatment approaches.

In conjunction with his colleague, Dr. Steven Seager, Dr. Halstead explored reproduction and function in spinal cord injury and was able to develop a technique for facilitating fertility and conception in spinal cord injured patients. Dr. Seager has estimated that 30-40,000 babies a year are born using the techniques developed by him and Dr. Halstead.

Dr. Halstead was the Director of the Spinal Cord Injury Program and the Director of the Post-Polio Clinic at the National Rehabilitation Hospital from 1986 until his retirement. He was also the Medical Director for the Male Spinal Cord Injury Fertility Program at NRH where he was recruited from the Texas Institute of Rehabilitation. He was a Professor in the Department of Rehabilitation Medicine at Georgetown University School of Medicine, and previously was a Senior Instructor in the Department of Preventive Medicine and Community Health at the University of Rochester School of Medicine.

He received many honors and recognition for his work. Among these were the John Stanley Coulter Award and the Edward Lowman Award from the American Congress of Rehabilitation Medicine, The John W. Goldschmidt Award for Excellence in Rehabilitation from NRH and the Outstanding Alumnus Award, Haverford College.

He was the author of extensive peer reviewed publications, many articles and presentations. He wrote several books dealing with polio: Managing Post-Polio: A Guide to Living and Aging Well With Post-Polio Syndrome, Post-Polio Syndrome: Late Effects of Poliomyelitis, and Research and Clinical Aspects of the Late Effects of Poliomyelitis. He also wrote a memoir: An Unexpected Journey: A Physician's Life in the Shadow of Polio.

Dr. Halstead was a lover of all things Italian. His namesake, Lauro de Bosis, was his mother's first cousin and was a renowned Italian poet and anti-fascist during the rise of Mussolini. Dr. Halstead spoke fluent Italian and travelled to Italy as long as his health and strength permitted. He also wrote a book in Italian: Racconti Fatti en Casa, and, at the time of his death, was working on a book of short stories in Italian.

Dr. Halstead was also a musician. As a high school student, he played the trombone, won many awards in musical competitions and played in a swing band until his right arm was severely affected by polio. However, in his late 60's, when the swing band reformed briefly, a friend encouraged him to try playing the euphonium, which he was able to do with his limited mobility. He even played at the Kennedy Center Tuba Christmas. His weekly sessions with a brass group were a highlight of his week for many years.

Dr. Halstead is survived by his wife, Jessica Scheer; his children, Alexander Halstead, Larissa Royal and Christina Martinez; his brother, Dr. Scott Halstead; and his sister, Welthy Soni Myers; as well as former wife, Margaret (Kris) Halstead, two grandchildren and two step grandchildren and an extended family of nephews, nieces and cousins.