Michael Broniatowski, M.D.

The American Laryngological Association (ALA) is saddened to inform you of the passing of Michael Broniatowski, M.D. on September 30, 2021 in Cleveland Heights, Ohio. Dr. Broniatowski was proposed for Active Fellowship by Drs. Harvey Tucker and Howard Levine in 1994 where he was an active participant during the ALA’s annual meetings. In 2015, after retirement from his practice, he was elevated to Emeritus status in 2015. On December 25, 1944, Dr. Broniatowski was born in Maidstone, England while his parents were involved in the war effort. Once his father was discharged from the French Section of the US Office of War Information and the British Army, the family returned to Paris. Dr. Broniatowski received his Baccalaureat after attending the Experimental Science section at the prestigious Lycee Henri IV, followed by studies at Paris University School of Medicine where he graduated with honors in 1969. After service in the French Army as a Lieutenant taking care of road casualties, and later as Captain in the reserves, he completed otolaryngology training at the hospitals of St Germain en Laye and Foch in Paris and received Specialty Certification in Otolaryngology from 1974-1976. He would later immigrate to the United States and was accepted in the Otolaryngology training program at Case Western Reserve University (CWRU) in Cleveland.  A year later, Dr. Broniatowski would meet Dr. Sharon Grundfest who, at the time was a general surgery resident at the Cleveland Clinic. Shortly afterwards, she would become his wife and research collaborator. His pursuit for continuous education including certification by the American Board of Otolaryngology, he was appointed an Assistant Professor on the full-time faculty at University Hospitals, the VA Medical Center, and MetroHealth. This was followed by a special fellowship in Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery at the Cleveland Clinic and surgical research in association with the Department of Artificial and Internal Organs. Dr. Broniatowski’s return to the faculty at CWRU was followed by his becoming chairperson, in the Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery at the St Vincent Charity Hospital where he served for 27 years. During that time, he was able to continue combining patient care with research in neuro-restoration as an Associate Clinical Professor at Case, Adjunct Staff at The Cleveland Clinic, and Clinical Professor of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery with The Ohio State University. In 2013, due to illness, he resigned from the chairmanship; continuing part-time with MetroHealth Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery until 2019. Dr. Broniatowski was a prolific author having published more than 100 scientific and clinical papers, editorials, movies and book chapters – and presented nationally and internationally. In addition to his membership in the ALA, he was also a member of most major high societies in our specialty. He enjoyed teaching residents and did not shy from brainstorming with his colleagues. He was blessed to remain in touch with close friends, some for more than 50 years. He had a keen interest in history, music, and dynasties of Lhasa Apso dogs. He had a dry sense of humor and was widely travelled.  Dr. Broniatowski leaves to memorize his life, the love of his life, Sharon (his beloved wife); their two sons, Daniel (Holly) from Boston; and David (Rebecca) from Washington DC; 5 grandchildren, Noah, Jacob, Arielle, Elaine and Judah, and cousins on both sides of the pond.  Services were held on Sunday, October 3 at 11 AM at the Berkowitz-Kumin-Bookatz Memorial Chapel in Cleveland Heights with interment at the Bet Olam Cemetery. The family suggested donations may be made to the Park Synagogue, The Cleveland Orchestra, The American Laryngological Association, the Triological Society, the Leukemia and Lymphoma society, and the Cleveland Clinic Alumni Association.  The ALA extends its sincere condolences to the Broniatowski family, his colleagues and friends.