“I feel humble and proud to have the trust of the families that allow me to care for one of their own,” Dr. Blumen said. “I’m also humble and proud that Evanston has named one of their very own after me.”
Every week, Dr. Blumen, a past president and board chair of the Illinois Academy of Family Physicians, sees patients who are first, second, third, and even on rare occasions, fourth generations of the same families.
He’s so dedicated to his patients that his wife, Pat, has even joked that he’s married to them as well.
“My wife is aware that I am a semi-bigamist,” Dr. Blumen jested. “We are strongly in love. She is my rock. We renew our wedding vows each year in the same gazebo where we were married on the beach at sunrise, and we attempt to have quality time and dates together. She’s also aware that I have a strong commitment to my work team. They, in turn, help provide the needed care for the patients.”
The Blumens have lived in Evanston for 35 years, and their support of the community goes beyond medical care. They have supported Connections for the Homeless, Northshore NAMI, McGaw YMCA, YOU, Evanston Community Foundation, Interfaith Community Council, Robert Crown Community Center and Northlight Theater. Dr. Blumen volunteered as medical director for Camp Chi, a children’s overnight summer camp, for almost 20 years and played an important role in developing the Evanston Township High School Health Science Center.
Driven to become a doctor by his interests in science and people, Dr. Blumen said his philosophy of care boils down to one word: Balance.
“Stay active, eat well, sleep well, have fun and be safe,” he said.
It’s a philosophy he follows in his own life, with a routine that includes moderate aerobic exercise, including weight and balance training, and at least seven hours of sleep each night.
“My diet is primarily plant based with some fermented dairy products and lean protein,” he said. “I try to have fun as much as possible, including travel, family, friends and community. And of course, safety all the time — think ahead and be prepared.”
