In Memory of Morton H. Levitt, MD (1946 - 2025)

The Florida Society of Pathologists (FSP) mourns the loss of Dr. Morton Levitt, a devoted member, esteemed pathologist, and visionary leader whose passion and advocacy profoundly shaped our society.

Dr. Levitt was born May 28, 1946 in New York City, NY. From a young age during his education at Poly Prep Day school (Class of 1964) in Brooklyn, NY, Dr. Levitt knew he would make a career out of math and science, despite his family’s storied history in real estate and law. Dr. Levitt went on to further his education attending Princeton University where he earned his Bachelor of Science in Engineering in 1968. He then chose to attend Duke University Medical School graduating with his Doctor of Medicine in 1972. He completed his post graduate training at Duke Medical Hospital and the University of Chicago in Anatomical and Laboratory Medicine in Pathology.

In 1983 while at Methodist Hospital in Memphis he met his wife Cindy and her two daughters. They became a family when they moved to Kansas City, Kansas in 1985. Shortly thereafter moving to Chicago while he finished his Post Graduate training. Then it was on to Andrews Air Force Base in Maryland until he retired from the Air Force. His next adventure would take him to Florida for a career in teaching medical students. He truly loved teaching the next generation of caregivers.

Dr. Levitt spent eight years with the US Public Health Services, conducting research in Pancreatic Carcinogenesis at NIH. Later, he held executive positions with several hospitals before being recruited to the United States Air Force (USAF). He was stationed at Andrews Air Force Base from 1989-2003 where he served as chair of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, also serving as Deputy Director of Hospital Services and held a teaching appointment at Uniform Services University of Health Sciences. After retirement from the USAF he held several teaching positions: Professor at Florida State University Medical School 2003-2007,  Tenured Professor at Florida Atlantic University Charles E. Schmidt College of Medicine, chair of the IMS Department 2010-2013, and Interim Senior Associate Dean of Faculty Affairs 2013-2014.

Dr. Levitt was a highly engaged member of the College of American Pathologists, ultimately earning a seat on the Board of Governors. After moving to Florida, he joined the FSP in 2008 and quickly became an integral part of the organization, serving on the Board of Directors before being elected President from 2021 to 2023.

During his presidency, Dr. Levitt led the FSP with unwavering dedication and strategic vision. His leadership extended far beyond his term, as he actively contributed to numerous committees and, most notably, chaired the FSP Pathology PAC. In this role, he worked closely with FSP lobbyist Amy Young to champion advocacy efforts that protected and advanced the interests of pathologists across the state.

One of his most significant achievements was successfully leading the fight against a proposed change to the Practitioner Laboratory Fee Schedule by Florida’s Agency for Health Care Administration (AHCA). The proposal aimed to eliminate the professional component reimbursement for nearly 1,000 clinical laboratory tests, posing a serious threat to pathologists statewide. Upon discovering this issue, Dr. Levitt mobilized FSP leadership, took decisive action, and under his guidance, petitioned AHCA to reinstate the reimbursement—ultimately securing a vital victory for our profession.

Dr. Levitt’s contributions to FSP were marked by his dedication to mentorship, education, and professional advancement. He was a steadfast voice in legislative matters and his legacy of service and advocacy will continue to inspire us all.

We extend our deepest condolences to his family, colleagues, and all who had the privilege of knowing and working with him. Dr. Levitt’s impact on the FSP community will not be forgotten.