Letter: Remembering Dr. Harvey Hirsch Z”L, on his Second Yartzeit

It’s hard to believe that two years have gone by since the untimely passing of our beloved pediatrician, Dr. Harvey Hirsch. To say that things have gone back to normal would be very far from the truth. Not a week has gone by in the past two years that Dr. Hirsch’s name was not mentioned in our household. I can safely say, on behalf of all of Dr. Hirsch’s patients, he is sorely missed.

Dr. Hirsch was a man who stopped at nothing to help a fellow human being. He was a person who anyone could turn to in their time of need. He was a most beloved Dr, treating all patients as if they were his own children. He never said no, not because he didn’t know how, but because to him, there was no such thing as turning anyone away. It made no difference to him what time of day or night it was, he always made himself available, at the office or on his personal cell phone.

Dr. Hirsch was so full of life and simcha and always full of energy. It didn’t matter if we were his first patient of the day, or his last patient late at night, he always entered the exam room with his trademark sense of humor and a smile on his face. He made jokes to calm the children and addressed every concern without brushing away any worry a parent had. He gave his heart and soul to us and to every patient under his care. We felt his love in the handwritten summaries he sent home after every well visit, in the sugarless lollipops he carried around and the endless stickers he gave to the kids.

Dr. Hirsch made an everlasting impression of kindness on all of his patients, colleagues and coworkers. I’ve seen him training in a new PA, a new nurse, a new scribe-all with patience and with a clarity to help them succeed in the future. I once had to put a specialist we were seeing in touch with Dr. Hirsch. She mentioned to me at every visit how kind Dr. Hirsch was and what a pleasure he is to speak to.

Dr. Hirsch had incredible medical knowledge. He was an excellent diagnostician. He could have easily been a top doctor in a top tier hospital, yet he chose to serve our community, to care for our children, without any fanfare. He never looked for recognition or prestige, he just wanted to care for as many of our children as possible and keep them healthy and well. I recently went to his kever and I found it to be no coincidence that he is buried in a quiet corner of the cemetery, just the way he led his life.

Dr. Hirsch will not be forgotten. His love and strong devotion to every patient left an everlasting impression. His endless dedication, kindness and chessed will always be remembered.

Yehi Zichro Baruch!

Nechama P.

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8 COMMENTS

  1. Whatever was mentioned about the medical aspect of Dr. Hirsch, applies just as much to those of us who knew him as a personal friend, neighbor and chavrusah. He’s absolutely missed tremendously.
    His neshama should have an Aliyah.

  2. Every word written above, is true. We miss Dr. Hirsch Zt’l terribly. He was a true tzaddik. He did so much chessed for our family alone; I’m sure he had the same relationship with his other patients as well. We miss his humor, his brilliant medical knowledge, and the concern he showed for his patients and parents as well.

  3. I children were Dr. Hirsch’s patients when he first came to Lakewood. He also was my grandchildren’s pediatrician. He was the same caring, loving, professional when he first started here as he was later. He never lost the awe and wonder to be able to take care of children. He is certainly sorely missed.

  4. I definitely cannot forget this amazing Tzadik that we were Zoche to have, And I break into Tears every time I pass the road that says Dr. Hirsch way

  5. I can’t read the article. It hurts too much. I get teary thinking about the loss of Dr. Hirsch.

  6. As a parent of a few little children, we continue to feel his loss so strongly. There is no pediatrician who can give families the dedication he gave and connect to the kids as he did.

Comments are closed.