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Dr. William H Michaels, flanked by retirement party organizers andfor-
mer patients Connie Vassallo, kft, and Linda Poterek.

CATHY SHAF RAN
Special to The Jewish News

A

s a perinatologist and
pioneer in high-risk
pregnancies, he helped
thousands of couples
through difficult times. For his
legions of patients, Dr. William
H. Michaels of Bloomfield Hills
was not only a brilliant physician;
he was also their counselor, rabbi
and friend.
That's why tears of joy filled a
reception hall Feb. 14 at the
Laurel Park Marriott Hotel in
Livonia as 200 of Michaels' for-
mer patients and staff gathered to

thank the retiring medical doctor
for giving them life, inspiration
and hope. Michaels announced his
retirement in September after 25
years in the field.
"How do you thank an angel?"
asked former patient Theases
Keyes of Detroit, breaking down
in tears on the podium as she
recounted her story of struggling
with pregnancy and how Michaels
helped her realize her dream of
motherhood.
The audience, packed with
many couples who had similar sto-
ries, wept with her.
"I don't know where I would be
without him," Linda Poterek,

otZE NUS.

After years of laboring on behalf of hopeful mothers
with high-risk pregnancies, Dr. William H. Michaels

retired to a chorus of heartfelt "thank yous" from

patients and staff he touched along the way.

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199

Detroit Jewish News

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