| Rene Barretto Alvir, M.D. Annandale, Virginia A Community Leader and a Renowned Urologist |
Dr. Rene Barretto Alvir, a top-notch urologist in his profession and
a well-known leader within the Filipino-American community is a
rare combination of talent and compassion rolled into one. First
and foremost, his reputation as a talented physician in his field is
well sought after by patients from here and abroad, which is
noteworthy in itself. As busy as his schedule demands, however,
he also dedicates his valuable time toward civic activities which
benefit the Filipino community as a whole, which will be noted
below.
To capsulate his medical career, Rene, as he is known to close
associates, a De La Salle College high school alumnus, pursued
his B.S. and Doctor of Medicine degrees from the University of the
Philippines. His internship and part of his OB-GYN residency
training commenced at the Philippine General Hospital in Manila
from 1959 through 1965, and subsequently came to the U.S. to
complete his residency in urology at NYU-Bellevue Hospital
Medical Center in New York, where he gained he title as Urology
Chief Resident. In June 1968, he moved to Charleston, Virginia,
where he joined the Area Medical Center there, as an attending
urologist. Then in February 1971, he was conferred the highly
prestigious and much-coveted certification “Diplomate American
a well-known leader within the Filipino-American community is a
rare combination of talent and compassion rolled into one. First
and foremost, his reputation as a talented physician in his field is
well sought after by patients from here and abroad, which is
noteworthy in itself. As busy as his schedule demands, however,
he also dedicates his valuable time toward civic activities which
benefit the Filipino community as a whole, which will be noted
below.
To capsulate his medical career, Rene, as he is known to close
associates, a De La Salle College high school alumnus, pursued
his B.S. and Doctor of Medicine degrees from the University of the
Philippines. His internship and part of his OB-GYN residency
training commenced at the Philippine General Hospital in Manila
from 1959 through 1965, and subsequently came to the U.S. to
complete his residency in urology at NYU-Bellevue Hospital
Medical Center in New York, where he gained he title as Urology
Chief Resident. In June 1968, he moved to Charleston, Virginia,
where he joined the Area Medical Center there, as an attending
urologist. Then in February 1971, he was conferred the highly
prestigious and much-coveted certification “Diplomate American
Board of Urology.” The following year, however, Dr. Alvir moved to Northern Virginia to start his own private
practice and in tandem, also joined the Northern Virginia Doctor’s Hospital and Alexandria Hospital as a staff
physician. It was during one of the conventions of top urologists in New York City eleven years ago that he
attended, however, when he saw a high-tech machine being introduced and demonstrated that eventually led
him to obtain his own machine for his practice.
As his supportive and charming wife verified, the former Paz “Inday” Abello of Bacolod, Negros (a business
entrepreneur in her own right), her husband’s obsession about the machine was undoubtedly strong. Hence,
“she told him to “go for it”… and he did, without losing time.” The rest is history, and the lucky recipients of his
expertise—combined with the presence of the high-tech machine at his fingertips—are naturally the
innumerable patients, clamoring for his unique medical services. Thereby, his astounding reputation follows
him, through his own peers plus the word-of-mouth attestations by his former and current patients alike!
The equipment is an ultrasound scanner developed by Bruel & Kjaer, a Danish firm, which permits a urologist
to see the whole prostate gland projected onto a television screen. “We have actually eliminated guess work-
a diagnostic breakthrough,” exclaimed Dr. Alvir. “No examination by a doctor’s touching the back of the
prostate can compare with a clear picture of the entire gland.”
Transrectal ultrasound is a state-of-the-art technology that allows the urologist to assess and analyze the
internal structure of the prostate and determine the weight and size of the prostate within three percent
accuracy, instead of the gross inaccuracy of older methods. “Ultrasound’s value is even greater because its
images can now be captured by an optical laser disk recorder for replay and for reproduction as a printed
photograph,” continued the pioneering doctor whose rare high-tech equipment is one of the few utilized by
practicing urologists in the entire area of Arlington county.
As a community leader, Dr. Alvir’s dedication toward helping a cause become a reality, is a given. He has a
penchant for assisting current leaders in the community in whatever role he can best fit in. As such, he was
elected and is currently serving as President and Chairman of the Board of the Philippine Cultural Foundation,
an organization founded more than four years ago. The task at stake is formidable, where controversial
issues are likely to spring up. But as Claudio “Jun” Pedery, Jr. who appointed Dr. Alvir pointed out, his caliber
of leadership qualifies him for the post because he has the “determination and stamina” to fulfill the goal of
building a cultural center in the heart of the Nation’s Capital, plus the ability to garner the patronage and
monetary support of his numerous well-connected friends –which is so important to accomplish this
gargantuan undertaking!
A fervent believer of unity and harmony in groups, Dr. Alvir served as President of Philippine Medical
Association in Washington Metropolitan area, having spearheaded various humanitarian projects. He is also
associated with other organizations and was past president of the University of the Philippines Alumni
Association in the Washington-Maryland-Virginia area; past president of the Philippine-American Urological
Society.
Dr. Alvir is an active member of the following professional organizations: Prince William County Medical
Society; Arlington County Medical Society; Medical Society of Virginia; American Medical Association;
Washington Urological Society; Association of Philippine Physicians in America (APPA); American College of
International Physicians (ACIP), and the American Urological Association.
“I wish to be of service to the medical profession here, and in the Philippines,” he stated. “I am planning to
start a private practice in the Philippines is 1996.”
Dr. Alvir and his wife, Inday, currently the president-elect of the Auxiliary to the Philippine Medical Association in
Meto Washington, reside in Annandale, Virginia. They have four children: Rene Jr., Francis, Brian, and Kevin.
His parents are Antonio Delgado Alvir, of Bulacan, and Catalina Barretto of Zambales. #
practice and in tandem, also joined the Northern Virginia Doctor’s Hospital and Alexandria Hospital as a staff
physician. It was during one of the conventions of top urologists in New York City eleven years ago that he
attended, however, when he saw a high-tech machine being introduced and demonstrated that eventually led
him to obtain his own machine for his practice.
As his supportive and charming wife verified, the former Paz “Inday” Abello of Bacolod, Negros (a business
entrepreneur in her own right), her husband’s obsession about the machine was undoubtedly strong. Hence,
“she told him to “go for it”… and he did, without losing time.” The rest is history, and the lucky recipients of his
expertise—combined with the presence of the high-tech machine at his fingertips—are naturally the
innumerable patients, clamoring for his unique medical services. Thereby, his astounding reputation follows
him, through his own peers plus the word-of-mouth attestations by his former and current patients alike!
The equipment is an ultrasound scanner developed by Bruel & Kjaer, a Danish firm, which permits a urologist
to see the whole prostate gland projected onto a television screen. “We have actually eliminated guess work-
a diagnostic breakthrough,” exclaimed Dr. Alvir. “No examination by a doctor’s touching the back of the
prostate can compare with a clear picture of the entire gland.”
Transrectal ultrasound is a state-of-the-art technology that allows the urologist to assess and analyze the
internal structure of the prostate and determine the weight and size of the prostate within three percent
accuracy, instead of the gross inaccuracy of older methods. “Ultrasound’s value is even greater because its
images can now be captured by an optical laser disk recorder for replay and for reproduction as a printed
photograph,” continued the pioneering doctor whose rare high-tech equipment is one of the few utilized by
practicing urologists in the entire area of Arlington county.
As a community leader, Dr. Alvir’s dedication toward helping a cause become a reality, is a given. He has a
penchant for assisting current leaders in the community in whatever role he can best fit in. As such, he was
elected and is currently serving as President and Chairman of the Board of the Philippine Cultural Foundation,
an organization founded more than four years ago. The task at stake is formidable, where controversial
issues are likely to spring up. But as Claudio “Jun” Pedery, Jr. who appointed Dr. Alvir pointed out, his caliber
of leadership qualifies him for the post because he has the “determination and stamina” to fulfill the goal of
building a cultural center in the heart of the Nation’s Capital, plus the ability to garner the patronage and
monetary support of his numerous well-connected friends –which is so important to accomplish this
gargantuan undertaking!
A fervent believer of unity and harmony in groups, Dr. Alvir served as President of Philippine Medical
Association in Washington Metropolitan area, having spearheaded various humanitarian projects. He is also
associated with other organizations and was past president of the University of the Philippines Alumni
Association in the Washington-Maryland-Virginia area; past president of the Philippine-American Urological
Society.
Dr. Alvir is an active member of the following professional organizations: Prince William County Medical
Society; Arlington County Medical Society; Medical Society of Virginia; American Medical Association;
Washington Urological Society; Association of Philippine Physicians in America (APPA); American College of
International Physicians (ACIP), and the American Urological Association.
“I wish to be of service to the medical profession here, and in the Philippines,” he stated. “I am planning to
start a private practice in the Philippines is 1996.”
Dr. Alvir and his wife, Inday, currently the president-elect of the Auxiliary to the Philippine Medical Association in
Meto Washington, reside in Annandale, Virginia. They have four children: Rene Jr., Francis, Brian, and Kevin.
His parents are Antonio Delgado Alvir, of Bulacan, and Catalina Barretto of Zambales. #
Washington D.C. Since 1987
Washington D.C. Since 1987
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