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The SCI/D world has lost a brilliant mind, a true influencer, and a kind and compassionate physician researcher.
We are saddened to share the unexpected passing of David Gater, MD, PhD. David was a close professional colleague and/or personal friend to many of us. David has had many titles, including the current Chair of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation at the University of Miami, Co-PI of the University of Miami SCI Model Systems (and other) research grants, and President of the Academy of SCI Professionals. Prior to taking the reins at the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, he held leadership roles at Penn State Milton S. Hershey Medical Center, VCU/MCV, and the University of Michigan.
While David is internationally known for his leadership and work in the area of obesity and inflammation among people with SCI/D (and this work is evidenced in a recent edition of Topics in SCI Rehabilitation in which he was the Guest Editor), he has also been an influential mentor to many clinicians and researchers in the field as well as a staunch advocate for his patients with SCI/D and the SCI/D community.
While we are all stunned and saddened, David would want all of us to continue to move this field forward. Below we’ve compiled some pictures of David active and engaged at recent meetings. I had the good fortune to have dinner with David just a few weeks before his passing and asked David to be my first video interviewee in a series of interviews with other national and international leaders. David, of course, happily obliged, and a portion of the video is shown below. We hope that seeing him smile, hearing one of his goofy jokes, and hearing him roar with laughter (at my blooper) will bring a smile to your face during this difficult time for all of us.
Regardless of the institution or organization we represent, let us all work together to continue David’s legacy of caring and compassionate medicine, innovative research, and unyielding advocacy and support for the field of SCI/D medicine and research.
Suzanne L Groah, MD, MSPH
ASIA President
