KANSAS CITY, KAN. --- In 40 years of practicing medicine at Providence Medical Center, Kansas City, Kan., Murray Corbin, M.D., a board-certified cardiologist, has seen a lot of changes.
But the one thing that hasn’t changed is his commitment to patient care. “Over the course of my career, I have been able to care for three generations of patients from Wyandotte County,” he says. “Establishing those relationships has been very rewarding.”
While studying medicine, Dr. Corbin was intrigued by cardiology and the prospect of taking care of acutely ill patients, making the specialty the perfect fit for his interests and skills. “I was very comfortable taking care of patients in emergency situations. It just came naturally to me and I enjoyed being able to make people feel better.”
Dr. Corbin began practicing medicine at Providence and the former St. Margaret’s Hospital in 1972, an exciting time in the field of cardiology. In the late 1970s he trained in Zurich, Switzerland, learning to perform balloon angioplasty to open blocked heart arteries.
“In January of 1980 I performed one of the first balloon angioplasties in the area, and I continued to perform interventions until just a couple of years ago,” he says. “I was at the patient’s bedside as these advances were taking place, and I was able to put them to use for their benefit. Innovation came easily for me. It was a fantastic time to be a cardiologist—a real blessing.”
As a fixture on the Providence medical staff, Dr. Corbin spent the first 20 years of his career in a group practice, and the last 20 years in private practice. “I was the first doctor to see a patient at Providence when they moved to the new hospital in 1976,” Dr. Corbin says. Over the years, he has held leadership positions as president of the hospital’s medical staff, director of Medical Education and as chief of cardiology.
He also enjoyed working with the hospital’s many associates, hosting an employee appreciation birthday party for 15 years. “On Nov. 2, which is my birthday, I celebrated by providing the employees with fancy desserts in the hospital cafeteria,” he says. “It was just my way of saying ‘thank you’ for all they did. I enjoyed every day at Providence, and everyone I have had the opportunity to work with.”
Now Dr. Corbin is transitioning from his medical practice, officially retiring Sept. 30 from Providence, to his new career. “I’ll be teaching the Bible at Shawnee Bible Church,” Dr. Corbin says. The Shawnee Bible Church is located at 12921 W. 61st St., Shawnee, Kan.
There, Dr. Corbin has an office and classrooms where he researches, prepares and teaches his lessons. “Teaching the Bible is one of the most rewarding things I have ever done,” he adds.
Dr. Corbin also is dedicated to his family, which includes his wife LaReta of 50 years, and their two adult children, Cathy Gay and Michael Corbin. The Corbins have lived in Lake Quivira since 1973, where they raised their family and have been active members of the community.
“La Reta has been a wonderful wife and helpmate,” he says. “I could not have accomplished everything I did without her. Family has always been a priority for me. My proudest accomplishment is that my children have become such wonderful parents.” Dr. Corbin and LaReta have seven grandchildren who all live in the Kansas City area.
Dr. Corbin received his undergraduate degree from Kansas State University, Manhattan, Kan., and his medical degree from the University of Kansas, Kansas City, Kan. He performed his residency in internal medicine and fellowship in cardiology also at the University of Kansas Medical Center. He also served two years as a general medical officer in the military.
