Adam Blomberg, B.S. ’99, M.D. ’04, discovered his calling in, of all places, a hospital bed. This was following a tragic car accident, from which he had to relearn how to walk and talk. The road to recovery was not easy, but he was determined. He enrolled in undergraduate studies at the University of Miami with a determined focus on getting into medical school. The Miller School of Medicine was his first choice.
Following graduation from the Miller School, the double ’Cane trained at Harvard Medical School’s Brigham and Women’s Hospital, where he served as chief resident. In 2008, after becoming a board-certified anesthesiologist, he began practicing at Memorial Regional Hospital (part of Memorial Healthcare System) in Hollywood, Florida. This was the hospital where he had been treated following the car accident.
During his career with Memorial Healthcare System, Dr. Blomberg has been part of Envision Healthcare, an organization that supports physicians and advanced practice providers throughout the United States in the delivery of care. He steadily worked his way up through the organization and last year was promoted to president and chief medical officer of anesthesiology.
We talked to Dr. Blomberg about his journey from patient to physician and how, calling on his Miller School education, he’s helping forge the future of anesthesiology.
How did the car accident in your senior year of high school change the trajectory of your life?
I was top of my class, captain of the track team, months away from starting at the University of Miami with an academic scholarship and walk-on for the track team. But my life changed in a split second. I sustained a traumatic brain injury and spent time in the hospital recovering, followed by rehabilitation and physical therapy. I was not expected to survive initially. But I was given a second chance at life, and I decided I wanted to give back by becoming a doctor.
What made you choose anesthesiology as your specialty?
I liked all of my rotations and was having a hard time deciding until I did an elective in anesthesia. It offered a little bit of everything. But what made the most impact was that you had a short time to form a relationship with a patient and earn their trust. That really inspired me. There’s nothing more powerful than that connection.
How do you balance your two roles, and why is it important to you to still make time to treat patients?
I trained to be a physician, and I’ll never give that up. I love being in the operating room and taking care of patients. It keeps me grounded. Staying active on the clinical side helps me in my role as president and CMO at Envision. I understand what needs to be done, what our frontline clinicians are going through every day and the challenges they face.
Fun Fact
Dr. Blomberg’s father, Ron Blomberg, played Major League Baseball for the New York Yankees, and made history as the game’s first-ever designated hitter. His bat from that historic 1973 opening day is part of the “Whole New Ballgame” exhibit in the National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum in Cooperstown, New York.
Ron Blomberg had been the Yankees’ first-round draft pick in 1967. After two years in the minor leagues, he made his major league debut in 1969. He played for the Yankees until 1976 and later played one season for the Chicago White Sox.
How do you support fellow physicians?
One of the things that’s very important to me is uplifting the next generation of clinicians and leaders, and I think that comes from my upbringing. My dad played Major League Baseball and one of his famous quotes was, “If you’re not willing to give 120%, somebody else will.” Those are words I’ve always lived by. He also taught me the importance of being part of a team. My mother was a teacher. Combining the teamwork approach I learned from my father and the importance of educating the next generation from my mother, I am fortunate that in my role today, I can foster an atmosphere of growth and education.
How did the Miller School set you up for success?
The education was excellent, but I’d have to say it was the mentorship and relationships. I had people looking out for me, pushing and challenging me, and making sure that I always had the best opportunities. I owe my success to that.
What are your fondest memories as a Miller School student?
I have many, but two that stand out are the bonds I made with my attending physicians and fellow medical students and that I met my wife while a medical student. I ran into two of my former attending physicians recently. I hadn’t seen them in 20-something years, but we picked up like I had just seen them yesterday. I was able to introduce them to my son. Through those early relationships, I have volunteered as a lecturer on the undergraduate campus, and I was fortunate that my daughter, who is still in high school, was able to be there to witness where my career was formed. The bonds I formed at the University of Miami and the Miller School of Medicine are everlasting.
Adam Blomberg, M.D. ’04, said his dad taught him the importance of being part of a team. Bottom right, Ron Blomberg’s major league baseball card.
