In Memoriam: Theron Ovitt

In Memoriam: Theron Ovitt

By University Communications
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Theron Ovitt retired in July 2020 after 46 years at the University.
Theron Ovitt retired in July 2020 after 46 years at the University.

Theron Ovitt, a clinical professor of medical imaging who worked at the University for 46 years, died Feb. 22 at age 82.

"For nearly 50 years, Dr. Ovitt has been a guiding light providing compassionate care to thousands of patients within Tucson and beyond," reads a tribute posted on the College of Medicine – Tucson Department of Medical Imaging website.

Born in Milwaukee, Ovitt joined the Department of Medical Imaging as an assistant professor in July 1974. Shortly after becoming a full professor in 1982, he was appointed chief of the department's diagnostic division. Ovitt became department chair in 1993, holidng that position for 12 years. After spending three years as chair of the radiology department at Maricopa Medical Center in Phoenix, he returned to the University, where he worked in the College of Medicine – Tucson's Cardiothoracic Imaging Division until his retirement in July 2020.

"Terry was truly the physician's physician," said Terry Matsunaga, professor of medical imaging. "He was bright, he was humble, and he was just the nicest person anyone would ever want to meet. Terry made me feel like a friend always."

Ovitt was principal investigator for a series of National Institute of Health-funded research projects that helped lead to development of the first mini picture archiving and communication system, which allows for the transformation of analog radiology images to digital imaging. Throughout his career he worked on several committees of the American College of Radiology, served as president and vice president of the Eastern Radiological Society and was elected a member of the Alpha Omega Alpha medical honor society.

Ovitt is survived by his wife, Judy, and two daughters. Services were held privately.

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