Mary G. Ampola
Mary Ampola’s life story is a testament to resilience, dedication, and compassion that touched countless lives. For those who knew her, no words are necessary; for those who didn’t, no words are sufficient. Born to Italian immigrants, Filomena and Mariangelo Giambattista, Mary defied the constraints of childhood poverty and patriarchy to blaze trails as a pioneering, award-winning physician and loving mother and grandmother.
Her educational journey began at North High in Syracuse, NY, where she later earned a place in their Hall of Fame. Working hard to earn money and scholarships, Mary graduated Cum Laude and Phi Beta Kappa from Syracuse University before earning a place at SUNY College of Medicine in 1956, a year when the institution admitted just five women. Her dedication and clinical achievements were later celebrated with SUNY’s coveted “Alumna of the Year” award in 1980.
Mary did her medical Internship at George Washington University Hospital in Washington, D.C. followed by a Pediatric Residency at Children’s Hospital in Washington, D.C. where she served as Pediatric Chief Resident. Fascinated by recent discoveries in DNA, she completed fellowships in Genetics at Children’s Hospital in Boston and in Amino Acid research at Massachusetts General Hospital.
Mary’s professional path was characterized by groundbreaking contributions in pediatric genetics. Her tenure at New England Medical Center in Boston spanned nearly four decades, during which she established the Pediatric Amino Acid Laboratory, rose to lead the Division of Metabolism, and was a Professor at Tufts University School of Medicine. Her legacy lives on through the lab that now bears her name, a testament to her enduring impact on medicine and education.
Among her many achievements, Mary was internationally recognized for her pioneering work saving lives by treating genetic disorders in utero. This feat was written up in the prestigious Journal of the American Medical Association and immortalized in a documentary narrated by Lloyd Bridges. In 1982 she published the book Metabolic Diseases in Pediatric Practice which was translated and used by physicians around the world. She was a frequent participant on the Jerry Lewis Telethon and hosted her own radio show about raising children.
However, all who knew Mary recognized that her most profound impact was felt through her boundless kindness and empathy. She cared for metabolic patients from birth to early adulthood, forging deep bonds that extended far beyond medical treatment. Each year, she brought these families together at a cherished picnic, fostering a supportive community where lifelong connections were formed. Today, her former patients, now adults, remain steadfastly connected to their beloved childhood physician, friend, and guiding maternal figure.
Mary proudly balanced raising a family with achieving her professional ambitions. She married Vincent Ampola, also a child of Italian immigrants. Her children, Leanna and David, recall her dedication—countless hours spent at home writing her influential book, managing paperwork, and providing compassionate care over the phone. Leanna even found her mother’s groundbreaking work referenced in her 7th-grade science textbook; a testament to Mary’s enduring legacy in the field of medicine.
Upon retiring from New England Medical Center in 2004, Mary’s impact was felt deeply throughout Boston, as noted in this poignant tribute by the Boston Globe: https://rb.gy/i3aarq. Citing her upcoming move to Atlanta, the article concluded by saying, “Boston will have lost some of its brains and an even bigger piece of its heart”.
Mary’s retirement in 2004 marked a transition to a new chapter in Atlanta, where she continued to touch lives at Northside and Scottish Rite Hospitals before fully embracing time with her beloved grandchildren. Mary filled her days with joyous activities such as knitting blankets for NICU babies, indulging in her love of reading, and cherishing beach outings with family. Throughout her life, she found immense joy in exploring Europe, crossing Canada by train, and adventuring in exotic locales like the Galapagos Islands and Tahiti.
Mary was predeceased by her parents, her sisters Mary Morgan & Rosemary Agonito, and her husband Vincent Ampola. Surviving are her children Leanna & David Ampola, grandchildren Sienna & Vince Ampola and Maggie Ainsworth-Darnell, son-in-law James Ainsworth, brother in-laws Joseph Agonito & Ronald Morgan, and several nieces & nephews.
There are no calling hours. Celebrations of Mary’s life will be held in Georgia and Massachusetts at later dates. To be notified of these celebrations please email Leanna at Leeampola@gmail.com.
To honor Mary’s memory, her family invites contributions to The Metabolic Physician Initiative at https://gofund.me/ead5f28b reflecting her lifelong commitment to compassionate medical care.
Mary’s life illuminated countless paths, leaving behind a legacy of hope, innovation, and enduring love that will continue inspiring generations to come.
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I am deeply saddened regarding Aunt Mary’s passing. We talked often over the years and I will miss our many conversations. She was always uplifing and encouraging with the words thar she spoke. She talked so much about her children, grandchildren, and son-in-law and how proud she was of the accomplisments each of you had strived to acheive and all the sucesses that followed.. She was a very proud mother and grandmother. She was an extrordinary lady, a brilliant and accomplished physician in her metabolic disease practice and very humble regarding the excellent care she gave to all of her patients. I was lucky to have her as my Aunt and I will miss her dearly.. My thoughts and prayers are with you all during this most diificult time. Wishing you peace, strength and comfort in the days ahead.
During my 4th year in medical school, Mary insisted on joining the Department Chair, Dr. Gellis, who had not looked favorably on women in medicine, and who never had more than a single woman in any intern or resident year (of 9 positions per year). Mary insisted that women be represented on the Floating Hospital Internship Match List in proportion to their numbers in the applicant pool. Her idea was considered too radical by Dr. Gellis, who ultimately thwarted her efforts, that first year. However, Dr. Gellis’ behavior, undoing all of Mary’s hard work, caused such a scandal that he was forced to create a modern Internship Selection Committee whose process and decisions he could not overrule. Thus, Mary’s bravery changed the entire internship selection process for the better. She selflessly risked her own career, for the sake of ours.
My personal involvement in this story was that, through Mary’s efforts, I was initially ranked among the Floating Hospital’s top 9 candidates, guaranteeing me an internship at Tufts. But after Dr. Gellis secretly edited the match list that year, he dropped my ranking to #142, which destroyed my chance to match at Tufts.
To my surprise, I was the first Tufts Medical student in several decades who matched at Boston Children’s Hospital . When I completed my residency and fellowship in Developmental-Behavioral Pediatrics at Children’s (6 years later), I came back and joined the faculty at the Floating Hospital, and became one of Mary’s colleagues. Shortly thereafter, I was invited to join the new Internship Selection Committee, following in Mary’s footsteps, which I did proudly.
This story now represents “ancient history.” I will be celebrating my 50th TUSM class reunion this spring. But I plan to raise a glass in honor of Dr. Mary Ampola, who taught me to be fearless and to stand up for what is right.
Thank you, Mary, for your courage, your brilliance, your dedication to your patients and your devotion to your students!