Dr. Victor H. Witten

WITTEN, DR. VICTOR H., esteemed dermatologist, and pioneer in the field, passed away at home on January 22, 2007. He was 90. A native Floridian, born in Jacksonville, Witten was proud of being an Eagle Scout. He earned a BS and then his MD from Tulane University in 1941. After four years of active duty in the U.S. Navy as a medical officer, Dr. Witten attained the rank of Lt. Commander. He practiced dermatology in New York City, until 1962, with Dr. Marion B. Sulzberger, Professor and Chairman of Dermatology at the New York School of Medicine. Drs. Sulzberger and Witten were the firs t to use hydrocortisone in dermatology. Dr. Witten moved to Miami as the Professor of Dermatology at the University of Miami School of Medicine and served there until 1968. Witten returned to private practice until 1996 when he then retired at the age of 79. Committed to dermatology, Dr. Witten served as the trustee of the Dermatology Foundation of South Florida, formerly the Dermatology Foundation of Miami, from 1962 until his death. Dr. Witten was greatly disappointed in the apparent trend of modern medicine, in that he believed not enough attention was paid either to patients or to their problems, and that medicine was moving into the realm of "big business", to its detriment. He remained steadfast in his beliefs, however, and was devoted to dermatology and maintained the highest level of professional responsibility toward his patients. This, in fact, commanded their confidence, their respect, and their love. Dr. Witten was a renaissance man. He was trained in the culinary arts at Le Cordon Bleu, Paris and spent many hours devoted to ham radio, to orchids and to the collection of fine wine. He believed fervently in the words of one preservationist, "If we don't pay attention to the road marks of the past, the future begins to loose its point of reference." This belief led to a multi- year effort to interview and record the oral reminiscences of most of the worlds leading dermatologists. The Oral History Division of the National Library of Medicine has accepted this one of a kind audio history of dermatology into the library in perpetuity. Dr. Witten attributed his initiatives to the encouragement of his wife of 33 years, Terri Witten. Witten is survived by his wife, stepchildren, and grandchildren: Rick and Logan Paradies, Jed, Guiomar, Julia and Jacob Paradies, Lisa, David, Gregory and Ross Nigro, Jonathan, Ramsey and Finn Blum. Dr. Witten is also survived by his sister Thelma "Sam" Mayeron, and her children Richard, Ellen and Victor and their children. By request, there will be no memorial service. Donations in Dr. Witten's memory may be forwarded to the University of Miami School of Medicine Department of Dermatology at 1600 NW 10 Avenue Rm. 2023A, Miami, FL 33136. To visit this Guest Book Online, go to www.MiamiHerald.com/obituaries.