Albert Balows, Ph.D.

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A “Renaissance man,” “a consummate clinical microbiologist,” and “a prolific author and editor” are just a few of the terms used by many to describe Albert Balows, Ph.D., to whom we owe a debt of gratitude for shaping and elevating the discipline of clinical microbiology. No one has singularly done more to advance our discipline through lobbying efforts, mentorship, and amazing contributions to microbiological discovery and literature than this amazing, gentle man.

Albert Balows was born on 3 January 1921 in Colorado Springs, CO. He received his baccalaureate degree with distinction in biology from Colorado College in 1942. Soon thereafter, he enlisted in the U.S. Army, during the height of World War II, and served in the army medical corps from 1943 to 1946. Remarkably, he served in Patton's 3rd Army, providing medical support to U.S. troops after D-day. When he returned to the United States, he received his M.S. in microbiology from Syracuse University in 1948 and his Ph.D. (Haggin fellow) from the University of Kentucky in 1952. His illustrious career began at St. Joseph's Hospital in Lexington, KY, where he had oversight of both the clinical microbiology laboratory and the transfusion medicine services.

When the University of Kentucky Medical Center opened in 1960, he was given a faculty appointment as associate professor of medicine, in which he taught, directed the clinical microbiology laboratory as one of the first Ph.D. laboratory directors in the United States, and also established a research program. He served with incredible distinction in all three areas, traveling the globe, advancing the knowledge of a vast array of diverse diseases, such as those caused by group B streptococci and Histoplasma capsulatum and toxic shock syndrome, among others.

His scholarly work in diseases related to public health such as AIDS, Legionnaires' disease, and diseases caused by Ebola viruses and diarrheagenic Escherichia coli continued when he moved to Atlanta, GA, in 1969 to set up the Division of Bacteriology at the Center for Disease Control (CDC) and serve as its director. Robert Jerris, Ph.D, and Mike Miller, Ph.D., recall, respectively, “He knew how to work with people and to make key decisions” and “He was never afraid to challenge those above or below him. He really stuck to his guns.” Later, he served as assistant director of laboratory science at the CDC until his retirement in 1988. Ahead of his time, he recognized the potential impact of bioterrorism agents and planned and provided surveillance for such threats at the Los Angeles Olympic Games and for water safety at the White House. He bridged the gap between clinical microbiology and public health and worked with the World Health Organization.

While all of these research accomplishments are amazing in themselves, Al's legacy goes beyond this work. Al used his position to promote microbiology as a discipline. He loved the spoken and written word, as evidenced by the more than 75 books related to microbiology and infectious diseases that he authored or edited. A few of these books include Prokaryotes (1981 and 1999) and the 9th edition of Topley and Wilson's Microbiology and Microbial Infections (1998). As a member of ASM for 50 years, he lobbied hard for such new publications as the Manual of Clinical Microbiology, now approaching its 11th edition, the Clinical Microbiology Newsletter (1972), and, with John Sherris, the Cumitech series (1970). Recognizing that the emerging discipline of clinical microbiology would be incomplete without its own scientific publication, he led the effort to establish the Journal of Clinical Microbiology and served as its first editor in chief for 10 years. Mike Miller, Ph.D., notes, “Al's office was more of a library than a workspace. Myriads of books either written by him, edited by him, or given to him because he reviewed them lined the shelves from floor to ceiling. As a young microbiologist I just knew that he understood every word in every text.”

Several colleagues marvel at his editorial prowess and acknowledge him for their own successes. Richard (Dick) Tilton, Ph.D., writes, “I started out with Al sending me some pretty bad ‘stuff’ to see how I would do as a young investigator/editor/clinical microbiologist. Sometimes his comments were unprintable but always helpful, honest and to the point. Being able to succeed Al and Henry Isenberg as Editor in Chief of the Journal of Clinical Microbiology was a tremendous honor and in no small way directly a function of Al's guidance.”

Patrick R. Murray, Ph.D., recalls with fondness the impact that Dr. Balows had in shaping his career as a future editor. “Al invited me to serve as a reviewer for JCM and later as an editor. He initially asked me to author a chapter for MCM, then serve as a section editor. He recommended me as his replacement as Editor-in-Chief of the Manual and then was always available when I had questions related to the Manual.”

Perhaps the greatest testimony to the grandeur of one's legacy is the impact an individual has on those he mentored. In this regard, no one exceeds Al Balows. Several of his mentees have readily contributed comments to this biography. A few of them are shared here. Mike Miller, Ph.D., writes, “When I interviewed at CDC in 1976 for one of two ABMM postdoctoral positions, one of my interviewers was Al Balows, clearly a giant in the field at that time. Obviously recognizing that I was a bit intimidated, he quickly used his manner and humor to put me at ease and made me do my best. Many meetings in Al's office were a result of his interest in me as a person and as a budding clinical microbiologist. His frequent personal encouragements were treasured moments I could only hope to pass on to those who followed me. He forced me into debates on current topics and relevant problems in the clinical and public health arena that would build my confidence over the years. Though small in stature, he was a giant of a man in my eyes and in the world of clinical microbiology. His influence on our profession remains strong today.” A true mentor gently pushes his mentees to excel and offers myriad opportunities for career development by providing occasion to meet with thought leaders in microbiology. Several individuals commented upon how Al facilitated this for junior microbiologists. Mary Jane Ferraro, Ph.D., notes, “A prime-mover in organizing symposia with cutting-edge and provocative themes at national (ASM, ICAAC), and international meetings, he invariably invited many of us at early stages of our careers to participate. It was not just an invitation to present an update or review on a subject, but rather we were assigned a topic that challenged us to develop a unique presentation about issues that others had never tackled.” Robert Jerris, Ph.D., also comments that Al was gentle but forceful with his mentees, many of whom are still in microbiology, and that he “set the fire within his trainees” to investigate and resolve microbiological challenges. He promoted scientific collaboration.

A great example of Al's ability to promote collegiality is the memory shared by Bob Moellering: “One of my most vivid memories of Al Balows revolves around my often finding him sitting in a dark area of a bar during one of the many ASM meetings we attended. He almost was invariably accompanied by Henry Isenberg and Larry Kunz. I always had the feeling that together the three of them could solve any microbiological problem in the world, and moreover, that is exactly what they were doing when I interrupted them. It was a truly remarkable triumvirate, and each of those three had their individual and important contributions to the conversations, which they occasionally would let me join.”

For his pioneering work in our discipline, Al was honored by many organizations, just a few of which are listed here. He was named the Lab World microbiologist of the year in 1980. He received the Becton Dickinson award in Clinical Microbiology in 1981, the Silver Medallion for outstanding contributions to clinical microbiology from the Italian Society of Microbiology in 1983, the P. R. Edwards award for outstanding service in microbiology in 1987, and the bioMérieux Sonnenwirth award for exemplary leadership in clinical microbiology in 1999.

No biography would be complete without mentioning the family and friends of this great achiever who provided support and love and contributed to his success. In this regard, Al was lucky to have had a strong and devoted partner in Ann (Barker) Balows, his wife of 49 years. Described as a gentle but outspoken lady, she was wife, mother to Eve and Scott, their two children, organizer, travel companion, and at times secretary. Clearly, the two were an inseparable team. His friends have pleasant stories that show the fun side of Al. Mike Miller notes, “When he retired, he continued to frequent CDC and played a wonderful, jolly white-bearded (real) Santa Claus at some of our Christmas parties.” Dick Tilton writes, “I can recall on numerous occasions traveling with Al. Al would check into his room and the first thing that he would do is to order more towels. Of course his standard reply to ‘why’ was ‘you can never have enough towels’.” Several have commented that Al always kept tabs on his trainees, inquiring about how they were doing, asking about their families, and, remarkably, remembering those personal details that only a true friend would recall. It is no wonder, then, that not only was a huge chasm created in the microbiology world when Al left his family and colleagues prematurely and unexpectedly on 23 September 2006, but a void remains in the hearts of many who were lucky enough to have been touched by this remarkable man.

The sources of information for this biography were Mike Miller, Ph.D., Robert Jerris, Ph.D., Patrick Murray, Ph.D., Richard Tilton, Ph.D., Mary Jane Ferraro, Ph.D., and Robert Moellering, M.D.

A family-placed death notice for Albert Balows was published in The Atlanta Journal-Constitution, 25 September 2006. An obituary for Albert Balows authored by Gary V. Doern, Ph.D., appears in the January 2007 issue of the ASM publication Microbe.