Good morning. Thank you for finding time to meet with me.
We met at the MCA shooting events. Tell me about your childhood.
I was born in White Plains, New York in 1939 but grew up in Pleasantville.
Did you attend public school?
Yes, I did. But I did not attend Hebrew school, as it was not a Jewish community. After high school I attended Dartmouth College on a scholarship.
Talk a little about your family.
My father was born in Ukraine and came to the US at the age of three. He was an auto mechanic. At first, he and his brother owned a gas station, and then he opened his own auto garage. My mother was a housewife and later on worked as a secretary in the editorial office of Reader’s Digest.
Any siblings?
My older sister passed away. She was a therapist, with a PhD in psychology. Marilynn, my younger sister lives in the UK and is a retired
English teacher.
Let’s continue to discuss your education.
I graduated from Dartmouth College undergraduate in three years and enrolled in their 2-year medical school. I then transferred to Harvard Medical School, from which I received my medical degree. My internship and residency in internal medicine were at Duke University. This was followed by a two-year fellowship in cardiology.
Would you say that you lived in an upper middle class neighborhood?
No. Definitely middle class. We did not have much money. I helped out in the garage working with my father. I also caddied for many years. I became a decent golfer and scored a “hole in one” at age 17.
How did you meet your wife?
I met Joan on a blind date in my freshman year. She attended Skidmore and later transferred to Boston University. We got married during my first year in medical school and recently celebrated our 64th year wedding anniversary.
Joan grew up in Tenafly, New Jersey. She not only raised our three children, but has been my lifelong partner in editing and overseeing the writings of my novels and managing editor of my medical journals.
Tell me about your children.
Debra is our eldest. She created a new company, Venice Estate Sales and Gallery and resides in Venice, Florida. We are fortunate to see her quite often. Jeffrey is our middle child and has two children. He lives in Indianapolis and practices law. David, our youngest, also lives in Indianapolis and has three daughters. He is a pediatric hospitalist. The two brothers meet weekly for lunch.
Seems like you have a close relationship with your children.
We really do, and it is so heartwarming that our entire family is close. We like spending time with each other.
Please lay out the career path you took after leaving Duke University.
I served two years in the Navy at Portsmouth Naval Hospital as a lieutenant. My entire medical career after training was at Indiana University Medical Center, where I retired as the head of cardiology.
This interview writeup does not allow me more than a few pages. You provided me with a CV with the following list of accomplishments
● President of 7 organizations.
● Editor of 7 cardiology journals
● Published over 1000 medical articles
● Published 16 textbooks
● Wrote 6 novels
● Over 50 awards
● Fellow of at least 11 societies.
The list goes on and is too long for this interview. I am curious to know why you wrote a 239-page memoir? And of all the accolades, which are you most are proud of?
My grandmother emigrated from the Ukraine at age 23 with two young children to join her husband in the US. She never shared the hardships she had traveling and living in the US. I regretted that. I wanted my family to know about my life. Therefore, I wrote the memoir. I most cherish the impact I’ve had helping patients live better and longer.
What motivated you to become a doctor?
I always wanted to help people. I loved biology and solving problems. Choosing medicine also meant that being a doctor generated financial stability and respect.
I was pleased to see your involvement in Jewish causes.
I founded the Friends of Israel Heart Society to fight antisemitism in academic circles.
In addition, I began an annual conference of cardiologists from many of the middle east countries to share medical information and thus promote a mutual respect beyond political and geographic lines. The conference still continues.
In your memoir I read that you, as an avid lover of opera and loaned the Indianapolis Opera money to help them out. Did you ever get repaid?
Yes, always as soon as they had the money.
Do your novels refer to your medical and/or Jewish background?
Some do. They are all different. I consider writing fiction as a lie that tells the truth. I can discuss important themes facing us today in the form of a story, such as antisemitism, terrorists, AI, and others.
How did you end up in Naples?
A wealthy patient invited us to stay at his Naple’s home during several winters, and we fell in love with the area. We live in Bonita Bay and plan to move to Moorings in 15 months.
What is a typical day for you?
I usually get up around 7:30 AM. I then read and answer emails and do some writing on my latest novel. I still write a health column for the Saturday Evening Post. After a quick breakfast I go to the fitness center for approximately one hour.
I like to play croquet and bocce.
How often do you eat out, and what are some of your favorite restaurants?
Joan and I eat out regularly. Petar’s and C Level Bistro are two of our favorites.
What are some of the MCA activities you participate in?
I give lectures on my novels, cardiology, attend the luncheons, and participate in shooting, coed bocce and various other activities.
This interview has been a challenge. Seldom have I met someone with so many personal, professional and academic achievements. It just seems that you have squeezed every possible achievement that is out there. But I will tell you that what is most admirable is your modesty. You are a person who has and continues to help others. Your dedication to fighting antisemitism and bringing some peace and understanding among physicians in the middle east is noted. In short, you are a mensch. It is obvious that you have given future cardiologists knowledge and inspiration.
Thank you.
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MCA members come from all over the US and the world, from a variety of careers, arrive in the Naples area for different reasons, and many volunteer to give back to their communities.
Men’s Cultural Alliance: MCA is an affinity group of Jewish Federation of Greater Naples, fostering camaraderie among intellectually curious, physically active, socially engaged men.
