Harry Herkowitz, chairman of the Department of Orthopedics at Beaumont Hospital in Royal Oak, Mich., passed away on June 7. He was 65 years old.
His research interests included improving spinal implants and finding solutions to disc degeneration. In a clinical setting, Dr. Herkowitz specialized in treating spinal stenosis, herniated disks, and trauma and deformity of the spine.
Dr. Herkowitz graduated from the Wayne State University School of Medicine in Detroit, and he completed his orthopedic residency at Beaumont and his residency in spine surgery at Philadelphia's Pennsylvania Hospital.
According to the obituary on Beaumont Hospital’s website, Dr. Herkowitz was director of the spine surgery fellowship program from 1987 to 2008. He became chairman of Beaumont's Department of Orthopedics in 1991.
He was a member of the editorial board for both Spine (president) and Journal of Spine Disorders among other publications. He was also an accomplished textbook author and editor, and he wrote numerous articles published in peer-reviewed journals.
He served as director of the research council and a member of the board for the North American Spine Society, and was a member numerous professional organizations, including: the International Society for the Study of the Lumbar Spine, American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons, American Orthopedic Association, Academic Orthopedic Society and The Association of Bone and Joint Surgeons.
Dr. Herkowitz gave several interviews to Becker's and spoke often on the importance of improving hospital efficiency and patient care. He was committed to both.
At the time of his death, Dr. Herkowitz had been chairman of Beaumont’s orthopedics department for nearly 35 years.