I knew Mel for many years, as a colleague from our youthful younger days as colleagues in interventional radiologists, dating to the 1990's. We'd meet each other at many scientific meetings, and I'd heard him lecture many many times. Mel always brought the most-dense material, packed into the tightest possible fashion into every slide and every sentence. He was voluble, well-spoken, always positive, and-- on his topics-- the smartest in the room.  
He stood apart. 
May his soul remain in peace.

I was a patient of Dr. Rosenblatt and he fixed the veins in my legs when other doctors did not want to take my case.  I will be forever grateful to him for improving the quality of my life in such a dramatic way.  I was actually looking up the CT office today for a follow up visit and I was shocked to come across his obituary.

I will never forget the humanity, concern, professionalism, and expertise that Dr. Rosenblatt showed to me during my time of need.   I was hoping to one day tell him how he improved my life and I am saddened that I was not able to do that.  He was one of the best.

I was shocked when I learned just recently. of  Mel's passing.
We were friends since childhood and though we lost touch over the years I still considered him a good friend.
I could always call for a question or some medical advise and he would take the time to get back to me.
My condolences to Sarah and his family 
BDE,  may his neshama have an Aliya 

A few years ago, I was a patient model at a vascular conference in Austin.  After a long day with gel on my belly and people poking around, it appeared I did not have Nutcracker Syndrome.  Attention passed to the 3 other "models,"  who clearly did.

While I didn't mind being relieved of my "patient patient" duties, I was disheartened that I'd come all this way from the East Coast, and would be leaving the conference with no more clarity than I'd had in several years of conflicting diagnoses. At the very end of the day, someone, in a gesture of humanity, suggested I speak with Dr. Rosenblatt.

Dr. Rosenblatt spent over twenty minutes with me, reviewing my history, asking specific questions, and finally breaking out the ultrasound wand as people quietly filed out at the end of the day, heading out for exciting dinners on the town, or a rest in their hotel rooms. I appreciated this gesture beyond words.  

He said, “You’ve endured a lot and I’ve very sorry for all you’ve been through.”  

It must be inhumanly difficult to pull out this kind of empathy when you’ve been talking about this stuff all day, every day, and at the end of the day.  I had to fight back the big tears.  We’ve all , all of us with rare of misunderstood diseases, been told we’re just not strong enough, we lack some sort of will power, we're liars, we're attention seekers, we're...

Well it was just really nice to hear that from someone who really didn’t have to be there or say anything.  

He was the first doctor I'd seen to mention Lyme as a strong possibility for many of my symptoms, and a specific lab for testing, where eventually I would test positive.  He also referred me to his colleagues Dr. Winokur and Khilnani, who practiced nearer my home in Brooklyn.  

I felt comforted and cared for, which really has not happened that much for me over the course of many years of a rare disease journey.

Gratitude to his loved ones for lending me this compassionate human being for an afternoon.

Oh I am so shocked to learn only today about Dr. Rosenblatt's passing.  He was an absolutely perfect physician for my husband and me, his demeanor so calm and assuring.   Besides that, he took interest in us holistically, as we shared family stories.  My deepest condolences to his entire family.

I just learned of this now over a year later. Dr Rosenblatt was my doctor and he was excellent. I am very sad to learn this news of his passing. While facing a life threatening situation he gave me hope when no other did. I will always remember him for that. I am sorry for the family’s loss. 🙏🏼

Dr. Rosenblatt was one of my first role models in Interventional Radiology and was an important factor in my decision to pursue the same career. He was a talented interventionalist and a good doctor. My sincerest condolences to the friends and family who survive Mel.

My condolences to Dr. Melvin Rosenblatt's family. I was one of his patients for many years. 

My deepest condolences to the Rosenblatt family.  I was a patient of his since 2009. He was a gentle, gracious ,sympathetic, and a YANKEES fan. I last saw Dr Melvin Rosenblatt in August of 2019.I was glad to see him before he passed . I felt something was wrong  but he was so calm ,humble and professional during my procedure. So sad he has passed at a young age. A true medical genius. I have read lot of his  medical accomplishments.  RIP Mel 🙏🙏🙏😢

I was shocked to hear of Mels passing.!i been going to him for years. Always professional. I never knew he was sick. On a professional note: Mel was a very skilled Genius! I felt safe in his care. I also loved to speak to him and share our everyday Medical experiences. I will truly miss you Mel❤️
Teresa Vollmart Nevin APRN 

I was shocked and saddened to learn of Mel's passing when I called the office this week.
I have been a patient of his for the past 15 years and always found Mel to be extremely skilled, and perhaps more importantly, he always put me at ease with is kindness, sense of humor and compassion.
He was a true mensch, and I will miss him.
My deepest condolences to his family, and may his memory always be for a blessing to you.

Jeffrey Tauscher, LCSW


I was very sorry to hear of Dr. Mel Rosenblatt’s untimely passing. I only had the “pleasure” of knowing him as a patient. I put pleasure in quotes because who ever wants to be a patient. That said I always found him to be knowledgeable, straight forward and respectful of me as that patient. There was never any doubt that he related to me first and foremost as a person and then a patient. His approach to caring extended to his staff: they being an obvious reflection of his values. They remain a testament to him. 

The World is worst off for his passing. 


Dear Sarah and family.
My sincere condolences on the untimely passing of Mel.
I had the opportunity to work with Mel at Yale where he was a mentor in my early career . Mel was an extremely talented Interventional Radiologist  and a great teacher . He was smart, caring, thoughtful, incredibly hard-working, driven and an innovator.  Mel was also a real get it done type of person who  accomplished much and contributed significantly to our society.
He will be missed by many and may your family be spared further  sorrow
 
Respectfully and Sadly 
Neil Denbow 

Mel is a legend in Interventional Radiology.   In his early career Mel pioneered under appreciated but critically important solutions for delivering medicine to cancer patients, later he was among the first, a leader, in developing new models for care delivery that eliminated the middlemen and improved patient access to the most expert providers.  

He was internationally known and respected.  This is a fact that I can attest to personally as I found myself in Thailand on September 11,2001 delivering a lecture for Mel.   He had asked me to cover the trip because he had a family commitment.  Family first. 

I am saddened to learn that this  good man has passed.  I am glad to know he lived a fulfilled life. I am certain that among the over 8000 Society of Interventional  Radiology colleagues here in the US and many more abroad that his important contributions will never be forgotten.  

Thanks Mel. 

Brian Stainken, MD,FSIR
Councilor, International Division
Society of Interventional Radiology


   I want to share some things about Mel with everyone. I loved Mel, and Mel and I would often joke about how few people knew what he did for a living. Specifically, what was Interventional Radiology?? I need to give you all some background information to understand. I first met Mel around 1996. This was one of Mel’s favorite stories about us.  I was a new Associate Product Manager at Bard and Bard had released the Rosenblatt Dual Slim Port. While I was fresh out of school I guess I was not the typical fresh out of school Product Manager. I had been in the military for 6 years, a medic/EMT for 7 years, married for 10 years, and had 4 children. I started in mechanical engineering at Bard and switched to marketing. Marketing has a symbiotic relationship with physicians to educate, design, and use medical products. I attended 10 to 15 medical conferences a year to learn new trends, meet with physician thought leaders, etc. 

        My first conference was RSNA in Chicago. I called Mel and introduced myself and asked if he would like to get dinner while at RSNA. He told me that would be great. Mel was the first physician I had taken out to eat. I knew Mel was Jewish and only ate kosher food.  I really wanted to make a good impression with Mel, so I researched any and all Kosher restaurants in Chicago and there was only one.  Mel had also done the same research. I had about 100 dollars in cash and my corporate American Express card so I was set for the night. It turns out the restaurant was much further away than I expected, and the cab ride out was $70.00. Now I’m sweating it out trying to figure out how I’m going to pay for the cab going home. I came up with a plan that I would drop off Mel at his hotel and then on the way to my hotel find an ATM to pay for the cab – back then they didn’t take credit cards.  The restaurant was a Chinese kosher place and as we walked in there was an American Express sign, so I was good to go.  


Now I was all set to impress Mel. We had dinner and had a lot in common. Our lives were focused on our families, our faith, and our work. We worked to provide for our families, and we worked too much. Our children were similar in age. We had a very enjoyable time. The bill came and I put out my American Express card. The waiter told me they did not accept American Express. I informed the waiter that there was a sign in the window that said American Express. He told me that the restaurant was just sold and they had not been able to set that up yet. During my panic of not having enough money to pay for dinner Mel graciously paid for dinner. The total bill was $17.00 dollars including tip. I really took him to a fancy place, and really impressed him. So we call for a cab and it took 35 minutes to get one (pre Uber and Lyft). There was another physician and his wife also waiting for a cab so we shared the ride back. We dropped that couple off first and he gave me $40.00 for his share so now, whew, I can pay for the cab.  After I got home I mailed Mel a check to pay for dinner. Mel sent me a card back with my check and thanked me, however, he said there was no way he would cash that check so he could always tell people how I invited him to dinner and then he had to pay for it! 

It was the beginning of a friendship that would last the last 25 years. Mel was one of my closest friends. Every medical conference we went to, we would find a kosher place to eat. It was always an adventure and it was our “thing”. We had over 100 dinners together over the years. 
He has been like a brother to me and I loved him deeply. We discussed him leaving Yale, Sloane, and finally setting up his own practice. He gave me advise on my different companies and helped guide me in life. Mel had a significant impact on where I am in life today.  We have a patent together. I remember doing the initial design work at his house. We talked about religion often.

I shifted from Interventional Radiology to Interventional Cardiology and Electrophysiology so we had not seen each other in a long time. We talked a while ago and it was like no time had passed at all. 
Mel was respected by his peers and loved by his patients. He was honest, humble, had tremendous integrity, and a work ethic like I have never seen.  

While Mel had only met my family once or twice and I only met his family once or twice we both felt as if we knew then much better because we always talked about them. 


Mel loved his family more than anything in the world. I don’t have words to express my condolences to you all. I can’t imagine not having Mel around anymore. 
Mel’s staff was always the best, and so loyal, and I also send you all my condolences. 
Mel knew he could never be successful alone; he had his wife keeping everything together at home.


To the children: Your dad left you a wonderful legacy. He made a difference in the lives of countless patients. Thousands of your dad’s ports have been used in patients. When my father developed cancer, I had the doctors implant a Rosenblatt port in my dad.  It was never about the money with your dad; it was always about the patient and improving that patient’s quality of life. Your dad made a difference in everyone’s life he touched. Physicians don’t get to have “normal” lives and with call/work are gone way too often. I’m sorry for the time I spent with him that took away from his time with you. I do know your dad loved his work and his patients, but his family most of all. He had a rare gift of being able to engage people and really know his patients combined with the best greatest clinical skills. 
I’m so sorry for your loss if you need anything please let me know. 

Don Geer 


Rest in Peace Melvin. My «dad» away from home. You were a sweet caring person and I loved working as an au pair for Danielle and beeing a part of your family. Only good memories. Love always Mette in Norway

I had the honor of working beside Dr. Rosenblatt for many years at Yale IR. He not only shared his vast knowledge with many of us, but always made us feel so respected and part of the team. He was an incredible physician who was not only great at everything he did, but so compassionate with ALL of his patients. He was the kind of doctor that everyone hopes to find. I will always cherish the many laughs that we all shared, especially the practical jokes that Mel would pull on us. Dr Rosenblatt will always be a true IR legend and will never be forgotten. 
My deepest sympathy to his family. 

Mel made such a positive difference in the many hemodialysis patients he took care of.  He was so compassionate and put all of his patients  at ease with the necessary procedures he performed.  His passing is a tremendous loss for our community.  With much sympathy for his family and friends.  


As a patient and colleague I am shocked to hear of Mel‘s passing. He was a very personable and bright physician. I always enjoyed talking with him and discussing our similar roots.
Deepest condolences to his family.
Steve Moses MD

I am so sorry for your loss
I went to Brooklyn college with Melvin-
We were friends and hung out together-he always tried to get me to ride his motorcycle with him-but I was more comfortable drinking beer and hiking with him.
He was a wonderful friend back then -our paths crossed over the years and I always remember his pure good heart nature.
May his neshoma have an aliyah.
Dena Cohen Heller


I worked with Mel at YALE  for many years. He was wonderful to his co- workers and patients. We had such a great time and would play pranks on each other all the time back in the 90’s. I am so sorry for your loss, may you all find comfort in your memories.
Anne Small

OBITUARY

Dr. Melvin Rosenblatt

21 December, 1958 – 8 October, 2019

Riverside Memorial Chapel - Hawthorne

Show your support

Add a Memory

Share Obituary

Get Reminders

Past Services

Chapel Service

Burial