Julius Combs, M.D., a graduate of the Wayne State University School of Medicine and a staunch supporter of the school, has died. He was 89.

A member of the Class of 1958, Dr. Combs received his bachelor’s degree in chemistry from Wayne State University. After receiving his medical degree, he performed his residency in Obstetrics and Gynecology at the WSU School of Medicine.

In 1968, he and Charles Vincent, M.D., organized the Vincent and Combs Professional Corp., the first medical service corporation in the state of Michigan. He became a member of our clinical faculty in 1968 and retired as assistant clinical professor in 1996.

Dr. Combs served as chairman of Omnicare Healthcare Plan, the first licensed HMO in Michigan, from 1980 to 1992. In 1984, he co-founded the United American Healthcare Corp., a full-service HMO management company. He was elected chairman and chief executive officer, retiring in 1998. The company was successful in obtaining management contracts with HMOs in Ohio, New York, Florida, Louisiana, Pennsylvania, Tennessee and Michigan.

In 1987, the UAHC formed the National Healthcare Scholars Foundation, which provided grants to students at five medical schools and nursing schools. From 1992 until ceasing operations in 2009, the foundation provided more than $1.5 million in grants.

Dr. Combs, who served as a member of the School of Medicine’s Board of Visitors, was a member of the Kappa Alpha Psi fraternity. He was a recipient of the school’s Pathfinders in Medicine Award, which recognized outstanding vision and leadership in medicine, progressive scientific research and efforts to promote the availability of quality health care in the community. The Detroit News named him a Michiganian of the Year in 1993.