December 13, 2010 Media contact: Kara Gavin
E-mail: kegavin@umich.edu
Phone: 734-764-2220

Statements on death of Mark Pescovitz, husband of UMHS CEO Ora Pescovitz

Statements on death of Mark Pescovitz, husband of UMHS CEO Ora Pescovitz Drs. Ora Hirsch Pescovitz and Mark Pescovitz

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Ora Hirsch Pescovitz, M.D.

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On Dec. 12, 2010, a motor vehicle accident took the life of Mark Pescovitz, M.D., transplant surgeon at the Indiana University School of Medicine and husband of Ora Hirsch Pescovitz, M.D., the CEO of the U-M Health System and executive vice president for medical affairs of the University of Michigan. Statements from Dr. Ora Pescovitz, U-M President Mary Sue Coleman and the U-M Board of Regents follow.

Members of the U-M community who wish to share condolences with the Pescovitz family, and read condolences posted by others, may visit Ora Pescovitz's blog at www.umevpma.org .

Statement by Ora Hirsch Pescovitz, M.D., on the loss of her husband Mark

This unexpected tragedy reminds us all of the fragility of life, and I am grateful for the support and well-wishes that my family and I are receiving from the U-M and Ann Arbor communities, as well as from our wonderful friends and family in Indianapolis. My children and I will treasure Mark’s memory, and take solace from knowing how many lives he saved and touched throughout his career and life. He was a wonderful father, husband and friend, as well as an astute and creative artist, researcher and surgeon. He will be greatly missed.

Mark’s funeral will be held on Thursday, December 16, 2 p.m., at Congregation Beth-El Zedeck in Indianapolis.

In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation in Mark’s honor to an organization dedicated to one of Mark’s many passions:

 
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Statement from U-M President Mary Sue Coleman:
 
On behalf of the University of Michigan community, I want to express my deep sadness and shock over the tragic death of Dr. Mark Pescovitz, husband of Dr. Ora Pescovitz, our executive vice president for medical affairs.
 
Mark was a gifted transplant surgeon and administrator at Indiana University's School of Medicine.  He was a talented artist, an intensely engaged member of his community and, most meaningfully, a dedicated father and husband, and a dear friend to many of us.
 
Those of us fortunate enough to know Mark saw firsthand his commitment to his family, to their faith, and to serving others.  We know that their faith will support them in the difficult days ahead, and we offer our deepest sympathies to Ora and her family.  Please keep them in your thoughts and prayers.
 
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Statement from the University of Michigan Board of Regents  

Words cannot fully convey the sadness we feel regarding the loss of Dr. Mark Pescovitz, whose wife, Dr. Ora Pescovitz, leads the University of Michigan Health System.  In the relatively short time that we have known him, his high energy and deeply held values have greatly enriched our community.

We mourn his loss and grieve with the Pescovitz family and their friends and colleagues.  We offer our deepest condolences to Ora and her children, and hold them in our thoughts.