Dan Bluestein Papers

Dan Bluestein, MD is an accomplished geriatrician and family doctor located in Norfolk, Virginia. For over 35 years he has worked closely with Eastern Virginia Medical School’s Geriatrics program as an active member.

This collection is divided into seven series: Correspondence, Family Documents, Biographies, Writings, Corporate Files, Subject Files and Photographs. Correspondence among Abe and Selma themselves as well as various radicals such as Rudolf Rocker is included herein.

Early Life and Education

The collection consists of correspondence, writings, translations, histories, family documents, artwork and photographs from eight series: Correspondence, Family Documents, Writings Biographies Subject Files Modern School Photographs.

The bulk of Abe Bluestein’s material dates from 1930-1990; some writings and family documents can go back further. He was involved with Jewish labor movements as an activist reporter for radical publications such as Freie Arveiter Stimme and Anarchist Library, covering events like Spain Civil War in 1937. Selma Bluestein was an artist exhibiting her works at co-operative housing communities.

She amassed early American cookbooks and became an expert on the history of cooking. Additionally, she championed progressive causes pertaining to education and social justice throughout her lifetime.

Professional Career

Bluestein practices as a geriatrician at Sentara Norfolk General Hospital and has published many peer-reviewed journal articles as well as teaching at University of Maryland Medical System.

His research is dedicated to understanding the physical forces that regulate cellular function in flowing blood and translating that knowledge into numerical and experimental strategies to optimize mechanical circulatory support device thromboresistance, improve clinical diagnostics of cardiovascular disease processes and progression, and enhance multiscale modeling of thrombosis.

He has secured over $85.5 million for his clients through various civil trials, spanning everything from motor vehicle and trucking accidents, boat collisions, inadequate security and medical/hospital negligence to inadequate security measures and inadequate security practices. He has lectured to various groups – such as the American Bar Association, Dade County Trial Lawyers Association and Florida Justice Association – regarding trial tactics.

Achievement and Honors

Bluestein has made significant contributions beyond his scientific endeavors. He serves on multiple committees – such as Pennsylvania Principals Association – and gives talks at schools. Furthermore, Bluestein is an avid sports fan who considers Cincinnati Reds his team.

His research is focused on understanding the physical forces that regulate cellular function in flowing blood, with particular attention paid to optimizing thromboresistance of mechanical circulatory support devices and improving diagnostic capabilities of diseased cardiovascular systems. He has received considerable funding for this endeavor from multiple sources.

As a Fellow of the Biomedical Engineering Society, which recognizes outstanding achievement in biomedical engineering research, he is recognized for his multidisciplinary research spanning medical engineering, mechanical engineering and biology disciplines. At Stony Brook University he holds a professorship.

Personal Life

Bluestein was a dedicated family physician and medical director at two long term care settings; additionally he was a member of the American Medical Directors Association.

Bluestein lost both parents and sister Minnie early in his life; Selma followed shortly thereafter in 1986. Bluestein was also an active member of Westport Unitarian Universalist Church.

In addition to his professional papers, this collection contains correspondence, biographies and other family documents as well as writings, translations and histories pertaining to anarchism, such as his involvement with housing co-ops or reporting on the Spanish Civil War. Also featured are Selma’s drawings found within “Bluestein, Selma to Abe” correspondence files.