After 35 years as a pediatrician in Kansas City, Dr. Michael Blum is hanging up his stethoscope.
He and his wife, Jenifer, initially came to Kansas City so he could attend medical school at Kansas City University of Medicine and Biosciences. They left for an internship in New Jersey but returned when he landed a residency at Children’s Mercy Hospital.
“Kansas City provided a lot of opportunities for me,” he said.
Since he retired this summer, Blum has seen an outpouring of affection from former patients — some of whom had brought their own kids to him when they needed a pediatrician.
“Many of the kids brought old pictures … many patients sent me thank you notes and well wishes with a lot of their stories over the years ... about how I have affected their lives and the lives of their children,” he said. “I’ve had second generations of families come to me. That’s an exciting part of my journey.”
Other fond memories he has include performing magic tricks for children, both in office and in hospital wards, and having an impact on safety issues for kids. Twelve years ago, he appeared on The Rosie O’Donnell Show to promote his program that gave free gun locks to families.
“If you have the opportunity, you can talk to a child about wearing a bike helmet or brushing their teeth or eating the right foods or getting exercise. You can influence their life at a much earlier age,” he said.
He is proud of the practice he’s built, Pediatric Partners, that will continue to function under the guidance of other doctors, and the effect he’s had on the health of children in the community.
“Oftentimes during my career, I would have to attend a delivery or come and see a very sick newborn, and being able to fix the problem and being able to tell a family that their baby is going to do well … is an exciting experience,” he said.
Blum, also a mohel in the community for about eight years, will maintain his medical licenses in Kansas, Missouri and Texas so he can continue providing the community with that service.
Although Blum was already performing circumcisions as part of his pediatric duties, he first came to the attention of then-director of Reform Judaism’s Brit Milah program Rabbi Neal Schuster while pursuing adult education in Judaism through the Melton courses. Rabbi Schuster encouraged him to take a course in the religious aspects of the procedure.
At the time, the Kansas City area only had one mohel, and Rabbi Schuster was looking for someone who knew the medical procedure and was really interested in Judaism.
“This is a guy who is a mensch. He’s serious about his Judaism, and he’s really skilled at circumcision,” Rabbi Schuster said. “I couldn’t imagine someone who would be more of an ideal person to become a mohel. He really is able to connect with people in a way that not only sets them at ease and makes them feel very comfortable throughout (the process) but gives them a sense of meaning.”
In addition to being a mohel, Dr. Blum has been very active in the Jewish community. A member of many area synagogues, he’s been president and is currently on the board of Congregation Beth Torah, stayed involved with the Melton adult education programs, done guest lectures for the Hyman Brand Hebrew Academy and worked with Boy Scout Troop 61 at Congregation Beth Shalom.
“When Jenifer and I came to Kansas City in 1969, we didn’t know anybody, and we’ve been able to become involved with not only the Jewish community but the many parts of the greater Kansas City area,” he said. “I just want to thank everyone for their help in making our journey through Kansas City and in pediatrics be as memorable, fun and successful as it has been.”
The Blums will stay in the Kansas City area, but he plans to spend more time visiting his two children, Deanna and Steve, and five grandchildren, all in Dallas, and focus on some of his hobbies, including magic and photography.
