JON MICHNOVICZ

MICHNOVICZ--Dr. Jon Joseph. Dr. Jon Joseph Michnovicz, born on November 9, 1953, passed away in Brooklyn, NY on Thursday, February 29, 2024, after a short illness. His career as a physician began as a specialist in Internal and Family Medicine. He first focused on cancer research with the study of breast cancer and published numerous research articles and a book titled "How to Reduce Your Risk of Breast Cancer." He became involved in the field of Developmental Medicine and was known as "Dr. Jon" to the many patients that he served. Dr. Jon provided expert medical care to those with special needs and coordinated with their families, therapists, social workers, and other professionals on how to provide for the individuals living with developmental disabilities. He also produced health care training videos for the Developmental Disability community. Dr. Jon worked with many major institutions in the New York Metro area, taking time to know each patient and tirelessly serving them with respect, dignity, and care. He will be missed by so many who loved him. Jon was born and raised in Albuquerque, NM, son of John "Mike" and Mary Lou Michnovicz. During his college career at the University of New Mexico he took a life changing detour to New York City to first work in a bakery, and eventually to return there for medical school. After returning to Albuquerque to complete his undergraduate degree in Chemistry and German, Jon enrolled at the Albert Einstein College of Medicine at Yeshiva University and graduated in 1983 with his MD and Ph.D. Dr. Jon was passionate about his medical practice but also gave himself without bounds to friends and family. He loved with dedication and with action by giving generously. Jon delighted in gardening. He tended his collection of exquisite orchids and with his green thumb grew tons of tomatoes, peppers, and eggplants. His blueberry patch in the backyard was his pride and joy and it produced buckets of berries in the fenced enclosure that he built to protect the bushes but not harm the birds. Jon also loved doing the New York Times crossword puzzles and had his first puzzle published there on January 18, 2024. Jon is survived by his former wife Stephanie D'Ambra, son Carl Michnovicz and daughter Grace Michnovicz, and siblings Michael, Antonia, Andrew, Maria, David, Stephanie, Mark, Paula, Karla, Matthew, Patrick and Margo and their families as well as numerous nieces, nephews, and cousins. He also leaves behind lifelong friends and colleagues Francis Cosentino and David Biozes. A celebration of life will be held in Albuquerque, NM in the coming days.