STUART H. DANOVITCH, M.D.
A distinguished gastroenterologist and hepatologist, died Thursday, October 28, 2010, of pancreatic cancer at his home in Washington, DC. Dr. Danovitch grew up in Norwood, MA. He was an honors graduate of Phillips Academy, Andover, MA, and Harvard College and received his medical degree from Northwestern University. He came to the NIH in the late '60s where he worked in biochemistry of the digestive system until the newly formed Washington Hospital Center recruited him to create a department of gastroenterology. From 1974 until he retired in 2006, he was in private practice and was full professor at GW Medical School and the VA and a special consultant at the NIH and Naval Medical. He served on numerous local committees, participated in consensus studies throughout the country, was a member of the prestigious Eastern Gut Club, their only private practitioner member. He was a member of the governing board of the American Gastroenterological Association, and was awarded their Distinguished Clinician Award in 2001, an award usually reserved for clinicians in full-time academic medicine. He was revered by his colleagues and students and beloved by his patients. Survivors include his wife of 52 years, Sylvia Eisner Danovitch; a son and daughter both living in New York City, David Danovitch and Linda Danovitch Bicks. He leaves five grandchildren, Amelia Elizabeth Danovitch, Avery Andrews Bicks, Lara Alexandra Danovitch, Isabelle Sara Celia Bicks and Phoebe Hannah Bicks. He is also survived by his devoted friend, colleague and brother-in-law, Dr. Gilbert M. Eisner of Chevy Chase, MD and one brother, Alan Danovitch of Boston, MA. Funeral services will be held on Sunday, October 31, 2010, 11 a.m. at B'nai Israel Congregation, 6301 Montrose Road, Rockville, MD. Interment following at B'nai Israel Congregation Cemetery, Oxon Hill, MD. Shiva will be observed at the late residence on Sunday through Tuesday evenings only. Memorial contributions may be made to the Jewish National Fund, P.O. Box 8183, Silver Spring, MD 20907. Arrangements entrusted to TORCHINSKY HEBREW FUNERAL HOME, 202-541-1001 (endorsed by the Rabbinical Council of Greater Washington).
