A family doctor and former Director of the Ingham County Health Department, Dr. Maurice Reizen will celebrate his 100th birthday today at Waltonwood Twelve Oaks.
Born on Feb. 24, 1919 in Detroit, Michigan, Dr. Reizen graduated from Detroit Central High School in 1936 and later earned a bachelor of arts degree from the University of Michigan.
Immediately following he enrolled at the newly formed University of Michigan School of Public Health. After successfully completing all of his coursework, but before he could complete his thesis, Uncle Sam called on August 25, 1941. He was accepted into the Medical Administration Officers Candidate School, and after three months was commissioned as a 2nd Lieutenant MAC. For the next four years, he served as a Company Commander in various locations around the United States. He was discharged with honors in December 1945 as a Captain in the Medical Administration Corp.
Afterward, his priority was to complete his master’s thesis, and he was awarded a Master of Science in Public Health. He then proceeded to medical school at the University of Rochester, while raising his two children, Mark and Nancy, with his beloved wife, Leanor.
Armed with a medical license, Dr. Reizen opted to practice family medicine at the memorial clinic in Warren, and he enjoyed the role of being a family doctor. He later accepted the position of Director of the Ingham County Health Dept in Lansing.
In 1950, Michigan’s Governor William G. Milliken selected Dr. Reizen to be Director of the state of Michigan’s Department of Public Health. In this position, Dr. Reizen was afforded the opportunity to not only supervise public health activities throughout Michigan, but also to also initiate some modifications and improvements throughout various local public health departments.
After Dr. Reizen retired at the age of 65, he began pursuing interests such as fishing while remaining active in various medical and public health societies. Dr. Reizen remained active and influential as an Ingham County Board of Health member until his retirement from the board at the age of 96.
When asked by the Lansing State Journal what he is most proud of, Dr. Reizen replied: "Being able to help those in need!"
Happy 100th Birthday, Dr. Reizen! We at Waltonwood Twelve Oaks are proud to celebrate it with you!