Meet Dr. Lamia Gabal, MD, FPMRS, California Eta

Board-certified urologist, founder of Prestige Medical Group and women's health advocate.  

Pi Beta Phi recognizes California Eta Lamia Gabal, MD, FPMRS, with the 2024 Carolyn Helman Lichtenberg Crest Award for her efforts in professional achievement. 

How has your involvement with Pi Beta Phi influenced or shaped your approach to leadership? 
In college, I had no idea how Pi Phi would influence my leadership approach. As I’ve gotten older, I realize that being president of my chapter, as well as a resident graduate consultant the year after graduation from the University of California, Irvine, was invaluable in giving me the experience to be able to lead and work alongside large groups of women.  This has translated into being able to develop my large female-focused Urology practice that employs only women at this time.   

What advice would you give to other Pi Phis who aspire to make a positive impact in their professional fields?   
I would say that you should not limit yourself and never give up. As women, I think we tend to give ourselves less credit and aspire to lower goals than our male colleagues do. I would say that you should continue to drive for that next level of excellence, that next promotion or that next job, no matter where you are in your life in terms of family planning or marital situation. 

In what ways do you believe your experiences as a Pi Phi have uniquely prepared you for your professional role and community service?   
Pi Phi has instilled in me the importance of community service. This has helped me in my medical practice in order to be able to help patients who are less fortunate and also being able to volunteer for certain patient populations. Continuing to be involved with the South Coast, California, Alumnae Club has also helped to keep community service at the top of my to-do list.    

Who motivates and inspires you to continue your efforts in your career? 
My daughters and my family are what truly motivate me to continue my efforts in my career. I want to set a great example for them and show them it’s possible to be a good mother as well as have a successful career. I also love mentoring women who are interested in medicine. This helps me to feel like I am able to foster the development of future female healthcare providers and show them, as a role model, what is achievable.   

What do you love most about your work?
I love being able to change people’s lives for the better. In my line of work, I am able not only to cure someone’s cancer, but also be able to give them a better quality of life when addressing some very intimate urologic concerns. Being able to help my patients with these issues and make them more comfortable discussing these private issues has given me great satisfaction in being able to change patients’ lives for the better. 

What is something you wish you would have known sooner in life?  
That it’s okay to make mistakes! And that change is hard, but usually worth it. The only way to get better is to change and making mistakes along the way is normal.  

"Pi Beta Phi has taught me..."
Pi Beta Phi has taught me the importance of giving back to the community, especially when we are so fortunate to have what we have. 

How do you measure personal success? 
My personal success is measured by being content and satisfied in knowing that I are making a difference in other people‘s lives and setting a good example for those around you. 

Published September 2, 2025