It almost sounds like the plot for a TV medical show, these three men named Whiting waging war against disease as the hard-hitting trio composed of a battle-tested father and his two grown sons.

But the scenario is true, lived every day by Dr. Donald Whiting, a neurosurgeon who grew up in Altoona, and his two sons, Drs. Alexander and Benjamin Whiting, who followed in their father’s footsteps and also became neurosurgeons.

Donald said that he and his wife, Cindy, didn’t pressure any of their children to pursue a particular career path. In addition to their sons, they have a daughter, Taylor, who is an educator and director of education at a school for children with special needs.

He said they were a little surprised when their sons announced in college that they wanted to pursue a career in medicine.

“We were even more surprised when they both decided in medical school to pursue a career in neurological surgery,” he said. “We can also say that they were well aware of the career demands, having grown up in a family with a similar occupation. Once they chose the paths, we can say that we cannot be more proud.”

It’s even more rewarding for Donald because he works closely with his sons. All three are neurosurgeons with the Allegheny Health Network’s Neuroscience Institute in Pittsburgh. Donald is medical director of the center while Alexander specializes in epilepsy surgery and Benjamin specializes in spine surgery.

“I can also say, as I am sure any father who works with their children would say, it is truly a special treat to work with his kids,” Donald said.

Donald grew up in Altoona as one of three sons whose father owned an appliance store in the city. His mother worked as a nurse at Altoona Hospital. He recalled working with his brothers in the appliance store during his childhood and teenage years.

“My brothers ended up going into sales occupations, but I was not very good at the salesman skill set,” he said. “My mother seemed to get great satisfaction from her occupation as a nurse and I was good at science, so I think that is what initially led me to consider medicine as a career. My parents were very supportive of any decision we made as far as a career choice but instilled in us the fact that we had to always work hard, be honest and be empathetic no matter what we did.”

Remembering, living Altoona roots

Although they didn’t grow up in Altoona, his sons have fond memories of the area when they would return to visit family.

“It was only (two) hours away so we would drive back there probably about (10) times a year,” Alexander said. “We always loved going back as our entire extended family lived there, and both sets of grandparents called that region home. I have lots of fond memories of places like Texas Hot Dogs, Al’s Tavern and DelGrosso’s Amusement Park.”

His brother, Benjamin, also remembered traveling to the area as a youth.

“I remember going to Lakemont Park as a kid, then, as I got older, going to Altoona Curve games once they were founded,” he said. “I’d always make my family stop at Texas Hot Dogs by the mall. I remember any time we were out and about with Pap (Len Whiting), everyone knew him. They’d want to stop him and talk with him. As a young kid, I was always struck with how prominent of a figure he was around town — (he) was revered.”

The doctors still maintain ties with the area in other ways by treating patients from Altoona, Donald said.

“I see a number of patients from the Altoona area,” he said. “I still have many friends in the area and I have developed quite a following from the Altoona area over the years.”

Like father, like sons

Alexander said he decided to become a neurosurgeon like his father after seeing how much his father not only liked his job, but wanted to help other people.

At the same time, his father managed to be a great dad, Alexander said.

“It’s hard not to notice when your dad comes home every day and never once complains about his job,” he said. “My father loved his job, he loved helping people, and most importantly he was a wonderful father. He never missed a soccer practice and was around all the time. Hard not to see that and say I want to have a life like his.”

Alexander decided to specialize in epilepsy surgery, although he performs other types of surgery, such as removing brain tumors and spine surgery.

“My father was a prolific deep brain stimulation surgeon and did some cutting edge surgeries, and I think I was drawn to the ability to do new and interesting things in epilepsy surgery,” he said. “I fell in love with taking care of epilepsy patients, who are some of the most inspirational people you’ll ever meet.”

He started to take an interest in his father’s work in high school, when he began going to the hospital with him and following him around. When his father was at home, he left his work at the hospital and just wanted to be a dad at home.

“It was so wonderful to see this whole other aspect of his life, where he was able to touch so many lives and do these amazing, unique surgeries,” he said. “It certainly had a big impact on my life.”

Benjamin said he was a very young boy when he had his first inclination of what his father did for a living. He recalls sitting at a local pizza shop when a woman approached his father.

“She had tears in her eyes as she told him that he saved her life,” he said. “She gave him a big hug before leaving. After that, I knew I wanted to help people the way he helped people. With regard to neurosurgery, I tried to create my own path in medical school outside of neurosurgery but I kept coming back. I couldn’t find anything that made me as excited and interested.”

He said he chose spine surgery as his specialty because “neck and back problems are so common, the majority of people in the (United States) will deal with these issues at some point in their lives.”

“I have the opportunity to help these people get back to their normal, everyday lives again,” he said. “I think seeing my father afford people this return to normalcy and return to activity was what influenced my decision.”

Benjamin remembered that, when he was a child, his father always showed up, no matter how busy his schedule. He also never had an overly inflated opinion of himself or his work.

“Growing up, Dad was just Dad,” he said. “I generally had an idea of what he did, but he always was the perfect dad. I never remember him missing events or even working when he was at home. He had an amazing ability to be such an amazing neurosurgeon but an even better dad. I remember rounding with him as a kid and, similar to Pap, everyone would stop him and be excited to talk with him. They’d tell me how amazing of a person he was.”

All on same team

Even though their father is technically their boss at the AHN Neuroscience Institute, the trio said they have no problems working together at the center.

“It has been a joy to work in the same fashion and at the same place with my kids,” Donald said. “Like any other colleagues in the same profession, we will discuss procedures or tests or other things of interest to get each other’s opinions. My wife set a 10-minute limit on work discussions at any family events. So we predominantly keep our work relationship at work and our family relationship at home, which helps keep the lines clear between my role as chair and parent.”

Alexander agreed and said the three work well together.

“It’s wonderful to have him and my brother around,” he said. “We get to consult and talk about cases. If we have a patient with a difficult diagnosis, it can be helpful to have someone who understands to talk to. Best of all, I get to run into my dad and brother in the hospital almost every day.”

Benjamin said he considers himself lucky to have his father for a boss.

“He’s the greatest role model and mentor, both at work and at home, and he fits (and) plays both roles flawlessly,” he said. “Pretty much any issue I run into at home or at work, he’s the ideal person to ask for advice. We’ve never had a personal or work issue that filtered over to the other domain.”

Fatherly advice

Donald said if he were advising parents today, he would suggest they guide their children towards whatever path will make them feel satisfied and that they’ve accomplished their goals.

“My advice to parents is to support your sons and daughters to choose a career that makes them happy and makes them feel fulfilled,” he said.

Alexander said if they’re considering a career in medicine, they should be prepared for the time it will take to complete their goals.

“I would make sure they understand the commitment,” he said. “It takes 15 years of training after high school before you’re a neurosurgeon out on your own. And given that you’re doing these complex, technical surgeries, it takes all of your effort and concentration to commit to it and to do a good job. But if they love it and want to do it, I would absolutely support them. I feel like it’s the best job in the world.”

Benjamin has two children, Brinley, who is almost 3 years old, and Callie, who is 16 months old. He said he would advise them to pursue something that makes them joyful.

“They’re too young to really know, although Brinley always talks about ‘doing surgery like dada,’” he said. “I’d tell them to follow what makes them happy, whether that’s medicine or not.”