obituaries

Heroic Scientist Targeted Cancer, AIDS

Ronelle Grier

Contributing Writer

D

r. Jerome P. Horwitz received
numerous honors and accolades
during his 50-plus year career
as a world-renowned cancer researcher,
author and professor — but his greatest
pride came from his role as husband,
father and grandfather.
Dr. Horwitz, of Farmington Hills, best
known for discovering AZT (azidothymi-
dine), the first drug used in the treatment
of AIDS and HIV, died Sept. 6, 2012, at
age 93.
"There are people who have not even
been born yet whose lives will be better
because of the passionate research that
Jerome performed:' said Rabbi Elliot
Pachter of Congregation B'nai Moshe in
West Bloomfield, who officiated at Dr.
Horwitz's funeral service at Ira Kaufman
Chapel in Southfield.
"He is a hero, not for one discovery, but
for 50-plus years of contribution to his
field, day after day."
Dr. Horwitz grew up in Detroit, where

he attended Central High School and
first FDA-approved drug for the treat-
celebrated his bar mitzvah at B'nai Moshe ment of AIDS and HIV infection. He went
at its former Dexter Avenue location.
on to create other drugs that remain the
He continued to remain active in the
cornerstone of AIDS and HIV treatment.
synagogue throughout his life, attending
Dr. Horwitz and his wife, Sharon, who
services regularly and singing tenor in the met at a wedding, were happily married
choir.
for 61 years. The couple
He received his bach-
enjoyed traveling together,
elor's and master's degrees
visiting locales such as
in chemistry from the
Montreal and Israel, where
University of Detroit, and
he was honored by Bar-Ilan
his doctorate, also in chem-
University in Ramat Gan.
istry, from the University of
"He was always a caregiver
Michigan. After post-doctor-
for the entire family, not just
al training at Northwestern
the immediate family," said
University in Illinois and
his wife. "He was always
the University of Michigan,
there for everybody — aunts,
Dr. Jerome P. Horwitz
he joined the staffs of the
uncles, our parents."
Detroit Institute of Cancer
"He was the portrait of a
Research (now Karmanos
loving and devoted grandfa-
Cancer Institute) and Wayne State
ther," said Ian Gross, Dr. Horwitz's oldest
University, where he worked tirelessly
grandchild. "If you asked him his great-
until his 2005 retirement at the age of 86.
est source of pride, he would say his five
Dr. Horwitz discovered AZT when he
grandchildren. He singlehandedly influ-
and his colleagues were searching for a
enced the course of my life."
cure for cancer. While AZT did not prove
Brother-in-law Mel Newman referred
effective for cancer, it later became the
to. Dr. Horwitz as a hero whom he regard-

ed as a second father, best friend and
brother.
Dr. Horwitz's many honors included
being chosen "Person of the Week" by
ABC News' Peter Jennings, being included
as one of the 25 most intriguing people of
1986 by People magazine, being named
Michigan Scientist of the Year and The
Detroit News' Michiganian of the Year. He
was also presented with a Distinguished
Service Award by Wayne State University
and Outstanding Achievement Awar-d by
the University of Michigan.
Dr. Horwitz had a great love for his
alma mater, the University of Michigan.
"He wore a U-M ring instead of a wed-
ding ring ... and he was one of the few
people who knew all the words to "The
Yellow and the Blue," said Rabbi Pachter.
Dr. Horwitz was not only a brilliant and
devoted researcher; his diverse interests
included music, baseball and motorcycles.
He used a computer before most people
even knew what the word meant. He was
also noted for his keen sense of humor.
Dr. Jerome P. Horwitz is survived by his
wife, Sharon Horwitz; daughters and sons-

A Podiatric Icon And Visionary

D

r. Irvin 0. Kanat of West
Bloomfield, an icon in the field
of podiatry, died, Sept. 1, 2012,

at age 79.
Dr. Kanat was a proud graduate of the
Rosalind Franklin University, Dr. William
M. Scholl College of Podiatric Medicine in
Chicago. Subsequently, he began practice
in the Metro Detroit area.
"It was through my husband's efforts
that podiatry was recognized as a medical
profession," said Nancy Glass Kanat.
"He was also instrumental in getting
the government to cover podiatry through
Medicare, enabling millions of Americans
to receive treatment.
"People listened to him, and he could
change people's minds. He was a master.
"Since he died, more than a hundred
podiatrists from around the world have
paid tribute online. It's been unbelievably
moving," she said.
Dr. Kanat trained under the tutelage of
the late Dr. Earl G. Kaplan, a close per-
sonal and lifelong friend; and thus began
his lifelong personal passion and labor
of love for his profession — including
being one of the founders of Civic (Grand,
Kern) Hospital in Metro Detroit, the first
podiatric hospital in the country, and pro-
viding podiatric education and training in

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September 13 • 2012

IN

the surgical and hospital arena.
He was intimately involved in Civic
Hospital, the first podiatric hospital and
residency in the world. Dr. Kanat was
instrumental in podiatric resident train-
ing and the renowned Civic surgical
courses that trained an early generation
of podiatric surgeons, long
before podiatrists were rec-
ognized or allowed privileges
at hospitals for foot surgery.
This began the renaissance
in podiatric surgery that ulti-
mately led to the establish-
ment of podiatric residencies
across the nation and all the
success and privileges that
are enjoyed today by podiat-
Dr. Irvin 0.
ric physicians and surgeons,
especially here in Michigan.
Dr. Kanat personally participated in the
podiatric medical and surgical training of
more than 400 podiatric residents, while
serving as director of podiatric education
and residency director at Kern. At the
time of his passing, Dr. Kanat was serving
in the same capacity at Genesys Regional
Medical Center in Grand Blanc and St.
John Providence Hospital in Southfield.
He was personally involved in many
podiatric professional organizations. This

Obituaries

set the stage for his legendary reputation
as a renowned national leader, educator,
teacher and mentor. He was a pastrpres-
ident of the American Podiatric Medical
Association (APMA) and the Michigan
Podiatric Medical Association. He was a
founding father of the American Board
of Podiatric Surgery, the
first nationally recognized
certifying board in podiatric
surgery. He was awarded the
first ABPS certificate, num-
ber 0001.
Dr. Kanat was a found-
ing father of the Podiatry
Political Action Committee,
now the APMAPAC. He
served as the chief del-
Kanat
egate from Michigan to the
APMA House of Delegates,
the legislative body of the APMA, since
1957. It is here he established himself as
a leader among leaders and was lovingly
referred to as "the voice of wisdom." All
leaders, past and present, sought his wis-
dom, knowledge and guidance.
He was the recipient of many presti-
gious honors, including presidential cita-
tions from Gerald Ford and Bill Clinton,
the APMA distinguished service citation,
recognition as Alumnus of the Year from

the Scholl College of Podiatric Medicine
and being elected a member of Podiatric
Management magazine's Hall of Fame. Dr.
Kanat's legacy lives on.
Dr. Glenn Gastwirth, executive direc-
tor of the American Podiatric Medical
Association, was a speaker at Dr. Kanat's
funeral service.
"Iry Kanat was a wonderful doctor," he
said. "He was an educator, administrator
and even a politician. Dr. Kanat was a lead-
er, but not in any ordinary sense. He was a
leader of leaders and led by example.
"He was intelligent, thoughtful and
visionary. He was always prepared. He was
a master tactician and strategic thinker.
He possessed extraordinary integrity and
humility. He was compassionate and had
a wonderful sense of humor. He was tena-
cious, yet respectful, and he understood
the importance of compromise.
"He was a doer," said Dr. Gastwirth. He
was a professional in every sense of the
word. Most importantly, Dr. Iry Kanat
made a difference!
Dr. Irvin Kanat is survived by his
wife, Nancy Glass Kanat; daughters and
sons-in-law, Lori and Robin Edelson of
West Bloomfield, and Perri and Nathan
Rosen of West Bloomfield; sons and
daughters-in-law, Les and Lanie Kanat of