Article by Phoenix writer Victoria Vakser ’26:
The first STEM talk of the year featured Dr. Robert Bacigalupo, an oral and maxillofacial (having to do with the jaw and face) surgeon and a 2005 Kellenberg graduate. Dr. Bacigalupo in his second Kellenberg STEM talk intrigued his audience of aspiring doctors and nurses with the story of how he became a dentist, advice for students looking into careers, and inspiring stories of how he managed to help patients with difficult cases.
When Dr. Bacigalupo described his extensive training, he did not sugarcoat the intense and often difficult experience he had preparing for work in the medical field. He spent twelve years of schooling after high school just to get his license to practice. “It was definitely a lot,” he admitted, “but if you approach it with the right attitude, it’s manageable.” He urged students never to give up. Quoting President Calvin Coolidge, he reminded, “Nothing in the world can take the place of persistence.”
Dr. Bacigalupo centered his talk on three pillars that built the foundation of who he is. First and foremost, he emphasized the importance of faith. The other two pillars mentioned were family and education. As a Kellenberg graduate, Dr. Bacigalupo largely credited his high school experience for the success later in his life. “I knew what I wanted to do right away,” he said, “so I focused on that from the start. Kellenberg was such a great place to foster my interests.” He encouraged students to participate in more activities, not only to become well-rounded people, but also to discover what they want to do.
At his private practice and at hospitals, Dr. Bacigalupo had a wealth of experiences and stories to share about his job. He gave a few accounts of some particularly difficult cases of his, including how he restored a young woman’s teeth after a snow accident and how he managed to remove cancer from a patient’s jaw.
This taxing job has its perks, Dr. Bacigalupo told students. He is on a team of oral surgeons for the NY Islanders, and as such, gets free tickets to games and the ability to talk to players.
At his private practice, Dr. Bacigalupo says he gets to talk to high-schoolers all the time, and he repeated the advice he gives them: “Think of your foundations, build your groundwork, and enjoy the stable life that you have built!”
Senior Isabella Silva commented, “I’m thinking of becoming a dentist, and I’ve been looking into different specialties. I especially enjoyed this talk because it gave me a broader perspective on all the opportunities that are available to me in dentistry.”
Mrs. Frem, who hosted the event, was elated at its incredible success, saying, “This was just such a rich talk. There was the faith foundation, students left here with such a rich body of knowledge, potentially they found a career, and, if ever they need to speak to an oral or a maxillofacial surgeon, now they have a perspective!”
When asked what his favorite part about coming to speak at Kellenberg was, Dr. Bacigalupo replied, “I enjoy giving back and Kellenberg has given me so much. It has laid a foundation of faith and education, and the least I can do is come to a place I love so much and give a talk.”
In addition to this being the first STEM talk of the year, it was also the first time any STEM talk had been held in the new FCAA building. For many students, this was the first time they stepped foot into the building.
We thank Dr. Bacigalupo for all the time he put into this talk and the valuable insights he provided for all the students in attendance.
