Jakub Svoboda '94
A native of Czechoslovakia, Jakub earned his degree in biology from Mercyhurst in 1994. He completed his medical education at Yale University, receiving his M.D. in 2000, and then relocated to Philadelphia to do a fellowship in hematology/oncology at the University of Pennsylvania.
While at the 'Hurst, Jakub was a member of the men's crew team. He has fond memories of training in Florida, competing in exciting regattas and working hard with a group of friends toward the same goal. He cites getting up before sunrise as perfect training for his medical career.
As a freshman, Jakub was diagnosed with advanced cancer. He was far away from home and family, and credits the Mercyhurst community for the support and help he received in this country. "I will always be grateful to Mercyhurst for caring and helping me in this difficult situation," he says.
Dr. Svoboda is a member of Consultants in Medical Oncology and Hematology in Drexel Hill, Pa., and an adjunct assistant professor at the University of Pennsylvania. He volunteers in the Philadelphia area doing cancer screenings and caring for non-insured patients.