Dr. Rolando Del Maestro and his wife, Pamela, at their home on the Island.
Passion and compassion guide Dr. Rolando Del Maestro
Island resident is the Director of the Brain Tumour Research Centre
The medical field is by itself one of the most demanding, exacting and complicated professions known to mankind. Neurosurgery is one of its most technically demanding specialties. L’Île-des-Soeurs resident, Dr. Rolando Del Maestro is the director of the Montreal Brain Tumour Research Centre; a man on top of his game and a major player in the latest developments in a complicated field.
"In essence, you are dealing with the most complex object in the universe; the human brain,� explains Dr. Del Maestro, while sitting across from me in his office, at the Montreal Brain Tumour Research Centre, located next to the Royal Victoria Hospital.
Dr. Del Maestro is soft-spoken, but there’s no hiding his enthusiasm and love for his chosen profession. The author of a recent book, entitled “A History of Neuro-Oncology�, the Island resident lives and breathes his life’s work and seems to delight in the quest for answers, in an area where finding these answers can often be a matter of life and death for his patients.
Born in Italy and raised in Canada
Born in Borgotaro, Italy, Dr. Del Maestro came to Canada at the age of 3, arriving through Halifax’s famous Pier 21, the gateway to a new life for thousands of immigrants during the 50s and 60s. Raised in London, Ontario, he was a gifted student and always wanted to be a doctor, eventually obtaining his Ph.D and becoming a neurosurgeon.
His wife of 32 years, Pamela Del Maestro, a nurse by profession, worked with him for 20 years before deciding to focus on their family, their three children, and her ever increasing interest in brain tumour advocacy. Together with her husband, they founded the Brain Tumour Foundation of Canada, which aims to help and support brain tumour patients and be advocates on their behalf.
“My wife is a loving, caring woman and she’s taught me that, sometimes, even when we can’t help the patient at all, the simple act of offering loving kindness can help immensely.�
In 2000, Dr. Del Maestro accepted a position with the Montreal Neurological Institute and the couple moved to L’Île-des-Soeurs. When the Montreal Brain Tumour Research Centre opened in 2002, the doctor became the clinical director and is now the director.
“The Montreal Neurological Institute is very well respected throughout the world,� explains Dr. Del Maestro, when questioned why he chose Quebec. “I find the work environment very stimulating here and the level of research and patient care are extremely high,� he adds.
Research, patients and conferences around the world
A typical workday for this renowned specialist is usually 60-80 hours long, with 60% of that time devoted to direct patient care (seeing patients, operating) and 40% focusing on research. Because of the severity of what he deals with, he is often on call and is almost always available to his patients, as well as travels extensively around the world lecturing and teaching. While conducting this interview, Dr. Del Maestro revealed that he was soon preparing to leave for China to lecture and operate and he had just come back from Vienna.
“There have been major breakthroughs in the field within the last two years,� states Dr. Del Maestro, with excitement. “In the last 30-40 years, there have been no significant advances in the detection and treatment of brain tumours, but just recently, the marriage of radiation and chemotherapy (medication like temozolomide) has proven to increase chances of survival. Also, we’ve discovered that patients with specific genetic makeups, react better to the medication. These are major breakthroughs, which I am confident will lead to many more. The tide is turning to our advantage."
Not a death sentence anymore
To most people, a brain tumour diagnosis elicits instant terror and visions of death. The truth however, according to Dr. Del Maestro, is that 30-40% of tumours are benign and if they can be removed safely, in most cases, patients don’t experience any serious repercussions. The neurosurgeon considers it a privilege and an honour that patients allow him to tamper with their brains and place so much trust in him.
“People talk about heroes, but if you’re in the army or the police force, you’ve been trained to deal with fear and the unexpected,� explains Dr. Del Maestro. “But, if, all of a sudden, you’re faced with a tumour, no one prepares you for that, and yet, many of my patients are truly awe-inspiring in the way they face their fears and the challenge of something so scary; they are truly heroes and have taught me so much about life.�
The relentless search for truth
Above Dr. Del Maestro’s desk, is an exact replica of a painting by French painter, Jacques-Louis David, which hangs at the Metropolitan Museum of Art, in New York. It depicts ancient Greek philosopher Socrates, as he prepares to drink the hemlock.
Socrates was sentenced to death by poison, by the Greek government, for supposedly tainting and polluting young Greek minds with his constant questioning of established truths. When he was ordered to stop teaching, he refused, stating that the pursuit of truth was far more important than his life. For that, he died.
“I have that painting there to remind me daily of how important the quest for truth is and how primary it is to our vocation.�
A passion for Da Vinci
When asked about his well-known obsession with all things Leonardo Da Vinci (a passion that has led him to collect a number of artifacts and give countless lectures around the world, on the subject), the doctor laughs and freely admits to it.
“Yes, I’m clearly obsessed with Leonardo Da Vinci, but there’s nothing wrong with that. I love people who are obsessed and passionate about what they do and what they love,� explains the doctor. “You have to be excited about life and what you do for a living, otherwise what’s the point?� What’s the point, indeed!
Météo: Montréal, 18 juillet 2008 / 21°C
/ Faible pluie
/ Vents: 13 Km/h / Humidité relative: 88 % 
par Toula Foscolos 
Steven Guilbeault - Chronique environnement
Richard Cléroux - Le fouineur politique
