Passing of Mike Bloom

Dear Colleagues,

It is with great sadness that I report the passing of Mike Bloom, our very longtime Vice Chair for Administration and Business Manager of the Department of Psychiatry. Mike passed away on Thursday, January 31, 2019 after an almost 4 year battle with cancer. Mike joined our Department in July 1981 having been recruited by Lewis L. Judd, MD, then Chair of the Department of Psychiatry. Mike was a young MBA from UCLA at the time he joined our Department and was instrumental in assisting Dr. Judd in the tremendous growth of the Department in the ensuing years. He took over when the Department had a few dozen faculty and perhaps 200 employees. At the time he retired on June 30, 2017, we had almost 200 faculty and approaching 1,000 employees and trainees.

Throughout this period he organized an effective administrative structure while at the same time being mindful of the personal needs and aspirations of everyone who worked with him. He was a kind and gentle person, but at the same time very dedicated to fulfilling what it is that individuals and groups needed in order for the Department to function well. As a leader, Mike was as inspirational as he was effective. He imbued a sense of loyalty and compassion that was infectious and compelling. He not only worked tirelessly and selflessly to meet the needs of the department but always made time to inspire and guide others to their own maximum potential. He was an exceptional ambassador for our Department, extremely well respected by everyone with whom he worked in the School of Medicine and the Campus.

Mike had a wry sense of humor, something that helped him be effective in dealing with situations which were often not easy. He had the capacity to defuse tense and challenging situations so that all parties felt dealt with fairly. He was an avid baseball and football fan and often joined tailgate parties for Charger football games with his colleagues Drs. Heaton and Judd and others. Mike was a loving father to his two boys and a delighted grandfather. He and Mary Anne, his wife, were always a warm presence at any social gathering.

Mike is survived by his wife Mary Anne; son, daughter in-law, and granddaughter, Adam, Dimiana (Dimi), and Mia; son and daughter in-law, Graham and Samantha (Sam); as well as his mother Pearl, brother Harry, and sister Carol.

In lieu of flowers the family requests gifts be made to the North Coast Repertory Theater. The Department of Psychiatry is also establishing the Mike Bloom Staff Excellence Award, which on an annual basis will recognize a Department of Psychiatry staff member whose exemplary performance reflects Mike’s values and contributions. Details of a memorial service will be announced in the future. Mike wished his ashes to be scattered at sea.

Please join me in wishing Mary Anne and Mike’s family our deepest condolences on the loss of a wonderful person.

Igor Grant MD
Mary Gilman Marston Distinguished Professor
Chair
Department of Psychiatry
Director
HIV Neurobehavioral Research Program
UCSD