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Stanley Gitlow Obituary
Stanley Edward Gitlow MD passed away June 19 at age 91 in Naples, Florida. A specialist in internal medicine and hypertension, Dr. Gitlow served New York City residents from his private practice for roughly five decades while simultaneously serving as Clinical Professor of Medicine at the Mount Sinai Medical Center. In 1954, he co-founded what would become the American Society of Addiction Medicine, the professional medical society for addiction specialist physicians, eventually serving as its President for two terms. A prolific author of medical research in both hypertension and addiction, Dr. Gitlow was a sought-after speaker who traveled internationally to deliver lectures in both fields. He served honorably in the US Public Health Service as well as for the US Department of State before retiring to Florida.
Dr. Gitlow, one of three children of Russian immigrants, Max and Ida Gitlow, grew up in Yonkers NY, attending Horace Mann High School, Columbia University, and then receiving his medical degree at the State University of New York Downstate Medical Center College of Medicine before interning at Mount Sinai Hospital.
Outside of the medical field, Dr. Gitlow avidly pursued multiple avocations. A commercially rated glider and instrument multiengine aircraft pilot, Dr. Gitlow accumulated over 13,000 flight hours in his beloved Twin Comanche, and served the Federal Aviation Administration for many years as a psychiatric consultant and Aviation Medical Examiner. Dr. Gitlow was a skilled woodworker, building much of the furniture for his homes. He was equally at home with the electrical manipulations of a model train set as he was with table saw or test tube and could often be found late into the night working in his shop. From 1970 on, he played tennis regularly, a love that he maintained throughout his 80s.
Dr. Gitlow is survived by his younger sister Blanche Shapiro, his sons William and Stuart, and his grandson Jaden Max. Private services will be held. Contributions in Dr. Gitlow's name may be given to the American Society of Addiction Medicine (www.asam.org) or to the Ulrich and Ruth Frank Foundation for International Health.
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Memories and Condolences
for Stanley Gitlow
Theodore Christopher
August 27, 2023
Dr. Gitlow would not remember me, but he treated me for hypertension while I was a medical student at Mt. Sinai from 1977-1981. I still practice Emergency Medicine at Jefferson in Philadelphia (40 hrs) and will always remember how impressed I was back then with Dr. Gitlow´s professionalism and communication skills. He was a man of utmost integrity and served as a role model for me as a young medical student. Simply stated, I wanted to be just like him! Ted Christopher, MD, MSSM Class of 1981
Gay Tice
November 28, 2017
What a brilliant man he was! He challenged me on every front and taught me more than I can say. With my deepest sympathies to his family. He will be so missed.
Roy Norris
September 14, 2017
Dr. Gitlow's insights truly helped me, perhaps even saved my life. They reckon ill who grasp not his wisdom.
Erica Frank
July 2, 2017
Stan's vision and ability to push back intelligently and hard, and then avidly endorse ideas and people that he believed could be transformative changed my life, and the lives of everyone touched by his huge support of NextGenU.org and our Addiction Medicine work. If it weren't for him and his kindness, dedication, nurturance, and humor, that wouldn't exist...
June 27, 2017
Ken Thompson
June 26, 2017
I am so sorry for your loss. His gentleness and wisdom has touched so many of us who have worked in the field of addiction. He brought dignity to our profession. I will miss him.
Penny Mills
June 26, 2017
My deepest sympathy to the Gitlow family. The picture of Stu and his dad in the photo gallery is such a testament to the legacy of Dr. Stanley Gitlow and his pride in seeing his son follow in his footsteps.
Bob Davis
June 26, 2017
My condolences to the Gitlow family. Dr. Gitlow left an enduring legacy in the field of addiction medicine.
John Hawkins
June 26, 2017
My deepest sympathy to the Gitlow family. Dr. Gitlow's impact will forever be present, especially from the many that he helped struggling with addiction and finding their way to recovery.
Susan Awad
June 26, 2017
My condolences to your family, Dr. Gitlow. While I never had the pleasure of meeting your father, it is very obvious that he was a great man. I know he will be very missed but his legacy is bright and it lives on.
Carolyn Lanham
June 26, 2017
My heartfelt sympathy to the Gitlow family. Dr. Gitlow's legacy lives on at the American Society of Addiction Medicine. I never had the pleasure of meeting him yet I feel as if I know him from all the wonderful stories and comments about him. May he rest in peace.
Chris Durkin
June 26, 2017
A truly great doctor and a truly great person
Stuart Gitlow
June 25, 2017
Stuart Gitlow
June 25, 2017
Stuart Gitlow
June 25, 2017
Stuart Gitlow
June 25, 2017
Stuart Gitlow
June 25, 2017
Stuart Gitlow
June 25, 2017
Stuart Gitlow
June 25, 2017
Elizabeth Howell
June 24, 2017
I have many fond memories of Dr Gitlow from my years in ASAM, and had the privilege of working with him over many years in the organization. His passion and dedication advanced the field of addiction medicine, and helped countless people with addiction attain recovery. He was one of a kind! Many condolences to his family.
Paul Earley
June 23, 2017
Dr. Gitlow helped forge the American Society of Addiction Medicine with the strength of his will and his unflagging perseverance. He was a giant in the field. He will be missed.
jeff goldsmith
June 23, 2017
As a medical student learning to manage DUI recipients in the mid-1970s, I was lent a tape by Dr Gitlow on the disease of alcohol use disorder. I still remember how important that recording was to me since there were not other experts at my community then. He always lived up to that leadership role in my mind, many thanks to him and my condolences to the family.
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