By Susan Mather

On May 16, Richmond District resident Dr. Mikhail Berdichevsky, D.D.S., will be celebrated for 30 years of steadfast service to thousands of San Francisco Bay Area residents. San Francisco Mayor London Breed and Walnut Creek Mayor Nancy Tragarz have both issued mayoral commendations for Dr. Berdichevsky’s lifetime of service, perseverance and leadership. 

This is not the doctor’s first accolade. Previous commendations have been issued from civic leaders such as a congressional recognition from Speaker Emerita Nancy Pelosi, another award of recognition from California State Senator Leland Y. Yee, as well as commendations from previous SF Mayor Ed Lee and the Greater Geary Boulevard Merchant Association. 

The son of a lawyer, Mikhail (Michael) Berdichevsky (Bur-ditch-‘chev-ski) chose medicine as his vocation while still in Ukraine, his homeland. (Berdichevsky’s boyhood city, Kherson, was recently leveled by Putin’s accelerated attempts to stop Ukraine’s fight for independence.) Starting as a physician and anesthesiologist, Dr. Berdichevsky ultimately committed to the profession of dentistry. 

“Patients from rural areas often paid us with bags of vegetables and fruit,” he said.

To escape the growth of anti-Semitism and corruption in Ukraine, Berdichevsky and family began the arduous journey toward American citizenship. After a brief stint in Vienna, Austria, the family of seven (including three small children) relocated again, to Italy, where, for two months, they shared a two-bedroom, one-bathroom flat. 

“It felt like we’d be stuck there forever,” Berdichevsky said. They finally got the green light.

On Nov. 21, 1989, the family arrived in San Francisco – only one month after the 6.9 Loma Prieta Earthquake slammed the Bay Area, and only three days after the repaired Bay Bridge was re-opened. It was perfect timing. The streets of San Francisco were opened once again. Once more, Berdichevsky was on the move. 

After several months of English classes and a job delivering newspapers, Dr. Berdichevsky enrolled in the Arthur A. Dugoni School of Dentistry, riding his bicycle to and from classes. He suffered a broken shoulder in a road accident, but necessity and sheer grit compelled him forward. He graduated first in his class and opened his dental practices in 1994. Five years later, his Ukrainian wife-partner, Dr. Nina Izraylevich (from Odessa, Ukraine) – the daughter of a noted Ukrainian cardiologist (mother) and granddaughter of two surgeons (her maternal and paternal grandfathers) – successfully completed the dentistry program herself, while raising three small children. Noted for her excellent patient care, Dr. Nina Izraylevich, D.D.S., has worked at both clinics for 25 years. 

For the last three decades, CEO Mikhail Berdichevsky has opened his doors to all, energetically managing the workload of both clinics, as well as working free-lance (extractions and implants) at a colleague’s private practice. The waiting rooms in Berdichevsky’s clinics are usually packed. A steady stream of patients flows in and out. Acknowledging the uniqueness of the clinic and its diverse clientele, one recent patient suggested producing a PBS documentary!  

First to arrive and the last to leave, Dr. Berdichevsky is known to be a stoic leader with a focus on efficiency and patient care. Not afraid to occasionally crack the proverbial whip to subdue any hint of chaos, Berdichevsky’s quick wit is often evident, and usually followed by outbursts of laughter from patients and colleagues alike. He often encourages younger patients at the end of their treatment with the enthusiastic admonition: “Enjoy your life!” 

A previous chess champion, Dr. Mikhail Berdichevsky, 79, is an avid ping-pong enthusiast and swimmer. Inspired by three children (two are dentists in the Bay Area, and another, a building inspector for the City and County of San Francisco) and seven grandchildren, Mikhail Berdichevsky has no plans to retire. He continues to be surrounded by dedicated and loyal employees and friends – many of whom have been employed by Mikhail Berdichevsky, Inc. for years, if not decades. 

In this month of May 2024, both San Francisco and Walnut Creek mayors have chosen to honor Dr. Mikhail Berdichevsky’s 30 years of discipline and service to others. May more service-providers (especially dentists) follow his lead.