Robert Wolf, M.D., aka “The Biographer,” was featured last November on MD Coaches’ RX For Success Podcast, hosted by Dr. Randy Cook.  The main topic of conversation was the book Dr. Wolf published in October 2022, an amazing account of his Jewish grandparents’ and parents’ persecution, passion to help others and the power of perseverance.  He tells the lesser-known story of hundreds of thousands Hungarian Jews deported and killed at Auschwitz during the Holocaust – his grandparents among them. His father, Ervin Wolf, went on to escape first from the Nazi’s (twice!) and then Hungarian Communists (twice again!).

Before World War 2, Ervin aspired to be a physician, but was prohibited from entering medical school as a Jew.  He was accepted into medical school shortly after the war, finally allowed due to the shortage of physicians.  At that time, only 10% of admissions could be of Jewish descent.  In medical school, he met Dr. Wolf’s mother, Judit, also a medical student, and he went on to earn his degree in Obstetrics/Gynecology.  During the Hungarian Revolution, Ervin had to do double duty as trauma surgeon on the front lines.  Judit ran a blood bank during the war as medical student.

Dr. Robert Wolf’s parents lived in Hungary until 1956, when they emigrated to America after the Hungarian Revolution. Ervin started his practice in Detroit, MI in 1965.  Robert was inspired by his father as a young boy, who served as a wonderful role model across many dimensions of the human spirit.  The admiration for his father was a major factor in his decision to become a medical doctor, specializing in Radiology.

The seeds for the biography Not A Real Enemy – The True Story of a Hungarian Jewish Man’s Fight for Freedom were sown in the 1970s when Dr. Wolf’s parents decided to chronicle their autobiography, capturing their recollections and memories as if the events occurred just a moment ago.  It wasn’t until years later that Dr. Robert Wolf realized the importance of their literary work to Holocaust education, and made it his mission to finish and publish their story.

When asked by Dr. Cook about his prescription for success, as a radiologist and author, Dr. Wolf shared the following insights:

• don’t give up, don’t get discouraged, persevere
• be grateful for all we have in the United States
• have an open mind
• there is no substitute for experience
• be a team player
• as a physician, put yourself in the patient’s shoes
• have a life outside of medicine
• time is our top commodity
• enjoy your family
• don’t be afraid to make changes when unhappy
• give back

Reference:  Cook, M.D., R (Host). (November 13, 2023). The Biographer:  Dr. Robert Wolf, M.D.  [RX for Success Podcast].