Michael Drucker

Drucker, Michael, MD, 65, passed away at Hoag Hospital on Sunday, June 25, after a prolonged illness. As an orthopedic surgeon practicing in Newport Beach for 25 years, Dr. Drucker was widely known and highly respected throughout Orange County by not only the medical community, but also by thousands of his patients, colleagues, and friends. Born and raised in New York City, Michael graduated from Colgate University and the University of Pennsylvania Medical School. After two years of surgical training, he enlisted in the Navy and was commissioned as a Lieutenant Commander. He served as a surgeon in a Marine Hospital in Vietnam during the war and performed over three hundred surgeries in the battlefield. Upon returning from Vietnam, Dr. Drucker completed his Orthopedic Residency in San Francisco in 1972. He joined the Medical Staff of Hoag Hospital in 1974, where he performed surgery until his retirement. Among his distinctions at Hoag, Michael served as Chair of the Department of Orthopedics from 1978-1980. In 2001, Hoag Hospital named Michael as an Honorary Staff member by virtue of his outstanding reputation, noteworthy contributions to the health and medical sciences, for his long-standing service to Hoag, and for his continuing exemplification of high standards of professional and ethical conduct. During his long practice as a physician, Michael was always in the forefront of new orthopedic surgical techniques. He was one of the first physicians in Southern CA to perform arthroscopic surgery. He founded the Knee and Laser Institute of Newport Beach and was organizer of the Total Knee Open Golf Tournament. This tournament was designed for patients of Dr. Drucker's practice, California Orthopedic Specialists, who after having total knee replacement surgery went from living with extreme pain to being able to play 18 holes of competitive golf. Michael was an accomplished golfer who achieved a number of distinctions as an amateur and won numerous tournaments. As an all-round sports enthusiast, Michael considered it a privilege to extend the careers of many professional athletes through successful surgeries. Michael is survived by his wife of twenty-two years, Debbie, his daughters, Danielle and Michelle, his brother, Richard Drucker, MD, and nieces, Simone and Nina. Private funeral services will be held on Friday morning. The family invites friends and associates to join them in a memorial service at 1 PM on Friday at Big Canyon Country Club in Newport Beach. In lieu of flowers, the family has requested donations be made to the Fallen Patriot Fund, c/o Bank of America Private Bank, TX1-492-19-09, P.O. Box 832409, Dallas, TX 75283-2409. Arranged by Pacfic View Mortuary