Michael B. Rothenberg papers, 1920-1999

Michael B. Rothenberg was a University of Washington professor of psychiatry and behavioral sciences and of pediatrics. He was born on Jan. 4, 1927 in Boston. Rothenberg served as an ambulance driver in Burma for the American Field Service during World War II, then went on to earn an A.B. in 1948 from Harvard and an M.D. in 1954 from Western Reserve. He joined the University of Washington faculty in 1967 and served there until his retirement as professor emeritus in 1987. Dr. Rothenberg died on January 15, 2000 of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis at the age of 73.

Dr. Rothenberg was noted for integrating psychiatric and pediatric services at Children's Hospital & Regional Medical Center. He introduced the idea of comprehensive care whereby doctors treat the psycho-social ills of sick children in a family and community context. Rothenberg was a student of Dr. Benjamin Spock at Western Reserve, and later co-wrote two editions of "Baby and Child Care" with Spock (5th in1985 and 6th in 1992) He was also a regular consultant for the television show "Mr. Rogers' Neighborhood" He helped found Washington Physicians for Social Responsibility, Mental Health Professionals for Human Rights and Responsibilities in Seattle, and the Puget Sound affiliate of Action for Children's Television. Dr. Rothenberg received a Lifetime Achievement Award at the 1999 joint meeting of the Washington State Council of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry and the North Pacific Pediatric Society.