“In these times of turmoil, I feel that I am doing something important as a way to help others.”
Dr. Mitchell Rubinoff is a retired gastroenterologist and long-time clinical volunteer, who began seeing patients for BVMI 15 years ago in his private practice in Ridgewood. Dr. Rubinoff then started seeing patients at the BVMI clinic in January 2023, six months after he retired. The specialty care—and caring—that he provides is a wonderful example of how clinicians come together to help our patients every day.
“At first, I volunteered twice a month, seeing two or three patients per day; now I volunteer three or four days a month and see five or six patients per day. In these times of turmoil, I feel that I am doing something important as a way to help others. And my time at BVMI helps me stay active in medicine during retirement,” said Dr. Rubinoff.
He shared a story about a female patient who came to him two years ago with abdominal pains after she was seen by a primary care provider, and for whom the usual medications were not helping. Suspecting a gallbladder problem, he obtained imaging studies that diagnosed that she had gallstones and then helped facilitate her receiving gallbladder surgery at Englewood Hospital.
“In private practice, this would have been more routine, but at BVMI it requires coordination and cooperation from hospitals willing to help through their Charity Care programs,” Dr. Rubinoff explained. His efforts were well worth it—and continue to benefit our patients.
“The patient’s pain is gone and she is very thankful every time I see her. At a recent follow-up visit she complained of chest pains and I referred her to BVMI’s volunteer cardiologist.”
Dr. Rubinoff is also a proud BVMI Donor and member of BVMI’s Legacy Society. “BVMI is a great organization, providing medical care to people who need it and otherwise would not get it.”