With profound sadness, we share the news that valued colleague and friend, Dr. Terry Ovitt, peacefully passed away on February 22, 2022 after a brief illness. 
For nearly 50 years, Dr. Ovitt has been a guiding light providing compassionate care to thousands of patients within Tucson and beyond.
Born in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, Theron W. Ovitt, MD, joined the Department of Medical Imaging of the University of Arizona as an assistant professor in July 1974 after residency and a cardiovascular radiology fellowship with Kurt Amplatz at the University of Minnesota. Shortly after becoming a full professor in 1982, he was appointed chief of the department's diagnostic division, serving seven years until becoming department chair in 1993, a position that he held for 12 years.
Dr. Ovitt was the principal investigator for a series of NIH grants that funded research and development of the first digital subtraction angiography system. This, in turn, led to the development of the first digital display console and subsequently the development of the first mini PACS system.
An expert in cardiac angiography, Terry taught and mentored generations of radiologists and cardiologists. He held numerous leadership roles at the University of Arizona, the Arizona Chapter of the American College of Radiology, and nationally with the ACR, American Heart Association, Association of University Radiologists, and the American Roentgen Ray Society. He served as president of the Eastern Radiological Society from 1998-1999 and was president of the Society of Chairs of Academic Radiology Departments from 2002-2004.
After he stepped down as Chair in 2006, Dr. Ovitt was invited to became Chair of the Radiology Department at Maricopa Medical Center in Phoenix, Arizona, a position he held for three years. Dr. Ovitt subsequently returned to the University of Arizona, where he has remained a steady presence within the Cardiothoracic Imaging division, continuing his service through the end of January.
Dr. Ovitt is survived by his wife Judy and two daughters. A celebration of life was held in Dr. Ovitt's honor on February 27th at the Tucson Country Club. View the event here.