Dr. Ludwig A. Michael: Professor Emeritus of Otolaryngology

In Memorium

Dr. Ludwig A. Michael, a noted physician and Professor Emeritus of Otolaryngology at UT Southwestern Medical Center, died on Oct. 1. He was 96.

Dr. Michael was named Professor Emeritus in 2002 after serving on the clinical faculty for more than 50 years. He also was a leading supporter of UT Dallas’ Callier Center for Communication Disorders.

He came to Dallas in 1948 after serving at the Walter Reed Army Medical Center, where he worked with soldiers who had suffered hearing loss. Dr. Michael was the first Dallas member of the American Academy of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery and was a pioneer in performing microscopic surgery on the delicate middle ear.

Dr. Michael was dedicated to working with deaf children, and was instrumental in the growth and development of the Callier Center on the UT Southwestern campus, serving for four years as President of the Foundation for the Callier Center. In 2012, a permanent research endowment – the Ludwig A. Michael, M.D., Callier Center Executive Directorship – was established to pay tribute to Dr. Michael for his outstanding service. The directorship was established through an initial gift of $200,000 from the Communities Foundation of Texas.

He served as the five-state area audiology consultant for the Department of Veterans Affairs for 19 years and also served on the advisory board of the National Institutes of Health, Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders.

In addition, Dr. Michael served two tenures as Chief of Otolaryngology at Baylor University Medical Center in Dallas, where he was on the active medical staff for more than 60 years, and was Chairman of the Editorial Committee of the Dallas Medical Journal for 24 years. Dr. Michael served on numerous other professional organizations and was an active volunteer and board member of many health and educational organizations, including the Lamplighter School. He was a longstanding member at Temple Emanu-El.

A New York City native, Dr. Luwig graduated from New York University, and then NYU College of Medicine, where he received his medical degree. He served an internship at St. Louis City Hospital, then completed his otolaryngology residency at Barnes-Jewish Hospital in St. Louis before serving as a Captain in the U.S. Army Medical Corps prior to relocating to Texas.

His wife of 57 years, Dr. Carmen Miller Michael, preceded him in death. Dr. Michael is survived by two adult children, two grandchildren, a sister, nieces, and a nephew. The family requests that any memorials may be made to Community Homes for Adults (CHAI), 13101 Preston Road, Suite 312, Dallas, TX 75240, or to the charity of choice.

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