Michael J. Halberstam
Encyclopedia
Michael J. "Mike" Halberstam (9 August 1932 – December 5, 1980) was an American
cardiologist and author
.
in 1957. In addition to medical papers in his field, Halberstam wrote on Medicare
, litigation against physicians, , and television reviews of medical shows like Marcus Welby, M.D.
.
and second-degree armed burglary, to be served concurrently, four counts of burglary
and four counts of grand larceny
totaling 143 years.
Bernard Welch died in prison in 1997.
In 1981 Halberstam was posthumously awarded the BUMC Distinguished Alumnus Award.
His brother was Pulitzer Prize
-winning writer David Halberstam
.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
cardiologist and author
Author
An author is broadly defined as "the person who originates or gives existence to anything" and that authorship determines responsibility for what is created. Narrowly defined, an author is the originator of any written work.-Legal significance:...
.
Life and career
He graduated from Harvard in 1953 and from Boston University School of MedicineBoston University School of Medicine
Boston University School of Medicine is one of the graduate schools of Boston University. Founded in 1848, the medical school holds the unique distinction as the first institution in the world to formally educate female physicians. Originally known as the New England Female Medical College, it was...
in 1957. In addition to medical papers in his field, Halberstam wrote on Medicare
Medicare (United States)
Medicare is a social insurance program administered by the United States government, providing health insurance coverage to people who are aged 65 and over; to those who are under 65 and are permanently physically disabled or who have a congenital physical disability; or to those who meet other...
, litigation against physicians, , and television reviews of medical shows like Marcus Welby, M.D.
Marcus Welby, M.D.
Marcus Welby, M.D. is an American medical drama television program that aired on ABC from September 23, 1969, to July 29, 1976. It starred Robert Young as a family practitioner with a kind bedside manner, and was produced by David Victor and David J. O'Connell...
.
Death
On December 5, 1980, Halberstam was shot at his Washington, D.C. home by Bernard C. Welch, Jr., an escaped convict living in the area. Halberstam and his wife surprised Welch when they returned to their home while Welch was committing a burglary. Despite having been shot twice in the chest by Welch, Halberstam told his wife to get into their car, and he drove them toward Sibley Hospital. On the way to the hospital, Halberstam saw Welch, shouted, "That's the guy!" and swerved to hit him. Welch was wounded, but not fatally injured. Halberstam crashed his car into a tree near the hospital, and was brought to the emergency room by ambulance. His colleagues were unable to save him, and Halberstam died on the operating table approximately 90 minutes after he was shot. District of Columbia police arrested the wounded Welch. At Welch's trial, the prosecuting attorney pointed at him, and used Halberstam's words, "That's the guy!" Welch received life sentences for one count each of felony murderFelony murder
The rule of felony murder is a legal doctrine in some common law jurisdictions that broadens the crime of murder in two ways. First, when an offender kills accidentally or without specific intent to kill in the course of an applicable felony, what might have been manslaughter is escalated to murder...
and second-degree armed burglary, to be served concurrently, four counts of burglary
Burglary
Burglary is a crime, the essence of which is illicit entry into a building for the purposes of committing an offense. Usually that offense will be theft, but most jurisdictions specify others which fall within the ambit of burglary...
and four counts of grand larceny
Grand Larceny
Grand Larceny is a 1987 thriller film directed by Jeannot Szwarc and starring Marilu Henner, Ian McShane, Omar Sharif and Louis Jourdan.-Plot summary:...
totaling 143 years.
Bernard Welch died in prison in 1997.
In 1981 Halberstam was posthumously awarded the BUMC Distinguished Alumnus Award.
His brother was Pulitzer Prize
Pulitzer Prize
The Pulitzer Prize is a U.S. award for achievements in newspaper and online journalism, literature and musical composition. It was established by American publisher Joseph Pulitzer and is administered by Columbia University in New York City...
-winning writer David Halberstam
David Halberstam
David Halberstam was an American Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist, author and historian, known for his early work on the Vietnam War, his work on politics, history, the Civil Rights Movement, business, media, American culture, and his later sports journalism.-Early life and education:Halberstam...
.
Selected bibliography
- The Wanting of Levine (1978)
- A Coronary Event (1976)
- The Pills in Your Life (1973)
- Making the rounds with Sir William (1974)