The Department of Rehabilitation Medicine regretfully informs the faculty and staff of The University of Texas Health Science Center of the death of Associate Professor Andrew J. Gitter, M.D. Dr. Gitter was involved in a traffic accident on Tuesday evening, April 29, 2003.
Dr. Gitter was appointed as an Associate Professor in Rehabilitation Medicine on February 7, 1997, having previously served on the faculty of the University of Washington Medical School. Dr. Gitter was awarded Tenure in September 2001.
Dr. Gitter received his B.S., Magna Cum Laude, in Computer Engineering from Rochester University in 1979, and he received his M.D., Cum Laude, from the University of Michigan Medical School in 1980. After completing his residency and a NIDRR Research Fellowship at the Department of Rehabilitation Medicine at the University of Washington, he joined their faculty.
Dr. Gitter was the University of Washington, Department of Rehabilitation Medicine Faculty Teacher of the Year in 1991, and in 1999 he was honored as the University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, Department of Rehabilitation Medicine Faculty Teacher of the Year. He received the American Board of PM & R Earl C. Elkins Award in 1991 for the highest written board exam score. In 1992, Dr. Gitter won the PM & R Education and Research Foundation Award for Best Scientific Paper Published By A Physiatrist In Practice Less Than 5 Years, and in 1996 he won the PM & R Education and Research Foundation Award for Best Scientific Paper Published By A Physiatrist In Practice More Than 5 Years.
Dr. Gitter was the Chief of Rehabilitation Medicine at the Audie Murphy VA Medical Center and he also served on the staff of Reeves Rehabilitation Center at University Hospital. Dr. Gitter was actively involved with Prosthetic research and he was known worldwide for his expertise in Gait Analysis. He established the first Gait Analysis Laboratory at the VA Medical Center. Dr. Gitter had an active medical practice and he was particularly revered by his patients from the Amputee Clinic.
Dr. Gitter was the consummate teacher, researcher, physician and friend. We will miss him.
Dr. Gitter is survived by his wife, Brenda, and three daughters.
