Laura Mariette Whitman

Laura M. Whitman MD, 59 of Southport CT, after a long illness on 1/13/23. Beloved wife of David L Downie, PhD. Loving mother of William Whitman Downie of Seattle and Lindsey Whitman Downie of Somerville, MA. Cherished daughter of Drs. Marina v. N. Whitman and Robert F. Whitman of Concord, MA, dear sister of Malcolm Whitman of Jamaica Plain, MA, and dearest friend of nearly 45 years to Caroline Otto of Brooklyn. Also survived by her treasured aunt and uncle, cousins, friends, colleagues, patients and medical residents. She adored and prioritized her role as mother of her two amazing children. Laura attended Phillips Academy Andover, graduated summa cum laude from Duke University, and received her medical degree from Case Western Reserve University. She was a highly regarded clinician, educator, and academic leader in the Yale Section of General Internal Medicine. She cared deeply about equity in health care, patient care, and quality in medical education. Over the years, Laura helped to train hundreds of doctors and held numerous leadership positions at the Yale New Haven Hospital. She brought grace, humor, equanimity, humility, and kindness to all her roles, and was a beloved colleague, mentor and friend to many. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made in Dr. Whitman's memory to the Closer to Free Fund for Smilow Cancer Hospital.