05/01/2026
Good morning everyone,
Today, we gather to honor and remember Dr. Bernard Ginsberg — my friend, my colleague, my mentor, and a man who left a lasting mark on so many of us. For those of us who had the privilege of knowing Dr. Ginsberg, we knew him as a man with a sweet spirit, a quick joke, and a heart that was always in the right place. He was not flashy. In fact, I do not think anyone here would accuse Bernie of being the best-dressed man in the room. But what he lacked in fashion, he more than made up for in sincerity, wisdom, humility, and loyalty. Dr. Ginsberg had a wealth of medical knowledge, but what made him special was how he used it. He was practical. He was thoughtful. He had a way of cutting through the noise and getting to what actually mattered. He had the kind of common-sense wisdom that does not come from a textbook alone, but from decades of experience, hard work, service, and caring for people. He was a man of the Jewish faith, and he believed in serving his community and his local synagogue. His faith was not something he simply spoke about; it was reflected in how he treated people — with kindness, honesty, patience, and humility. As a physician, Dr. Ginsberg cared deeply for his patients. He was never too proud to ask for help, even from a younger colleague. That always stayed with me. In a profession where ego can sometimes get in the way, Bernie put the “H” in humble. He had no problem pulling out his Pocket MD and looking up a medication before prescribing it. He did not pretend to know everything, because his priority was never appearing smart. His priority was doing right by the patient.
That was Bernie.
He believed in family. He believed in hard work. He believed in not mismanaging his funds. And anyone who knew him also knew he was not exactly the president of the health insurance fan club. He had many memorable lines, but one that I will always carry with me is when he told me, “The hospital is not your friend, Miguel.” He said it with that classic Bernie wisdom — part warning, part joke, part life lesson — and usually, he was right. Dr. Ginsberg lived a full and meaningful life. He served as a Lieutenant in the Coast Guard, completed his medical training in New York, and raised his children in California. Then, about twenty years ago, he blessed our community by coming to the Florida Keys in search of a simpler life. Here in the Keys, he co-owned ASAP Urgent Care with the late Dr. Joseph Goldberg. Together, they served this community with dedication, compassion, and integrity. They were both fine gentlemen and fine doctors. They gave to this community, not just through medicine, but through their example. For me personally, Dr. Ginsberg played an immense role in my professional development as a private physician. He helped shape the way I think about medicine, business, patients, humility, and community. He showed me that you can be experienced without being arrogant, wise without being dismissive, successful without being flashy, and strong without losing your kindness. That is the kind of man he was. Bernie had a way of making you laugh, making you think, and reminding you not to take yourself too seriously. He was steady. He was real. He was honest. He was the kind of friend and mentor you do not replace. Today, we mourn his passing, but we also celebrate his life. We celebrate the patients he cared for, the family he loved, the faith he lived, the community he served, and the colleagues he helped along the way. Dr. Bernard Ginsberg’s legacy will live on in his family, in his patients, in the Florida Keys community, and in all of us who were blessed to know him. Bernie, thank you for your friendship. Thank you for your mentorship. Thank you for the jokes, the wisdom, the humility, and the lessons. May your memory be a blessing.
Gentleman, It should be said Fair Winds and Following Seas. May we see each other agin in Heaven, Rest Easy.
Sincerely,
Miguel A Diaz-Miret, MD FAAFP
Family Medicine Board Certified
Chief Executive Officer, Islamorada Medical Center & Marathon Medical Center an (ACGME approved site)
Program Director, Family Medicine Palm Springs Larkin Hospital
Elevate Medical Administrator, Future of Medicine
