Not many people would say their role model is a tree, but Michael Maharry is the first to admit that is what he idolizes.

But it’s just not any tree — the “giving tree.”

“It’s a very simple story about giving willingly   simply because you have something to give,” he said about the Shel Silverstein book.

Maharry knows all about giving simply because you have something to give.

Aside from being a family physician at University Hospitals and an assistant professor in the College of Medicine, he also is the chairman of the Iowa City Historic Preservation Commission, a fund raiser for the Englert Theatre and Shelter House and a health care provider at the Iowa City Free Medical Clinic.

“I have been given the good fortune of a wonderful upbringing, good health and, mostly, positive life course to this point,” he said. “I seem to have an internal reminder going off that this good fortune needs to be passed along to patients, learners and those who may need it.”

Maharry passes along his talent to others on a daily basis. Not only does he serve as a role model to his students and patients, but he also has the opportunity to help preserve the community.

After being in Iowa City for more than 13 years — not counting the three years when he was a child — he became interested in local homes and geography.

“I have an overly passionate interest in preserving the historic nature of Iowa City neighborhoods,” he said.

Once older homes are demolished, the individual craftsmanship it took to build them is gone forever, he said. That is why he tries to save them.

“I get the satisfaction that others may benefit as a result of what I have helped out with,” he said.

— Christine Rojewski

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