Neil Howard Messinger

1938 - 2025

Neil Howard Messinger

July 28, 1938 - August 1, 2025

Coconut Grove, Florida - Neil Howard Messinger was born in Brooklyn, NY to I. Jack and Blanche Messinger on July 28, 1938, and attended Erasmus Hall High School followed by Brandeis University. He returned to NYC where he married his wife of nearly 64 years Madelyn Ginsberg and attended medical school at SUNY Downstate. After 2 years serving in the Air Force, Neil returned to NYC to The Albert Einstein College of Medicine/Montefiore Hospital where he trained under some of the top academic Radiologists of the day, before moving his young family to Miami in August 1974 to join the Radiology practice at Baptist Hospital.

Neil's impact on the field of radiology was profound. Neil served on national radiology organizations, was a Board examiner and a Fellow of the American College of Radiology and American College of Gastroenterology. He became President of the practice and Chief of Radiology at Baptist in 1986 overseeing its tremendous growth as he recognized and helped lead the changes in the way Radiology would be practiced. Neil had the unique ability to attract leaders in the field and provide them with the support to continue shaping the way Radiology is practiced today. Just as importantly, he could recognize the potential in those physicians just out of training, providing the guidance to be tomorrow's leaders. Partnering with the Baptist Health System he embraced new technologies, recognizing the impact they could have on their patients in the South Florida area as well as worldwide. He will be remembered as a tremendous friend and colleague to many of the physicians in the South Florida area, an innovator and educator respected for his knowledge and integrity.

Neil also loved the game of golf. If he was not at the hospital, he was most likely on the course as a member of Kings Bay and then a founding member of Deering Bay. He loved to travel and often combined both these passions playing at some of the finest courses around the country and the world. His many friends and playing partners will miss him dearly. He was an avid sports fan, attending all his sons' and grandchildren's games and supporting all the South Florida teams both at home and on the road. Growing up in New York he loved baseball the most and became a devoted Marlins fan when they came into the league.

Neil is survived by his loving wife Madelyn, his brother Leonard, his sons Jonathan and wife Alyse, David and wife Kelli, Gordon and wife Tara and Zachary and wife Andrea. Neil was most proud of and loved deeply his grandchildren Sabrina, Joshua, Myles, Mia, Ryan, Jesse, Leora and Tali and his cherished Golden Retriever and best friend Sonny.

Memorial Services will be held Monday 2p at Riverside Memorial Chapels at Mt. Nebo Kendall 5900 SW 77th Ave, Miami and Shiva will follow at 5p at Temple Beth Am, 5950 N. Kendall Drive, Pinecrest.