Laura Whitman Obituary

Laura Whitman
01/13/2023
Dr. Laura M. Whitman, 59, of Southport, died on January 13, 2023, after a long illness. Beloved wife of David L. Downie, PhD. Loving mother of William Whitman Downie of Seattle and Lindsey Whitman Downie of Sommerville, MA. Cherished daughter of Marina v. N. Whitman, PhD, and Robert F. Whitman, PhD, of Concord, MA, and dear sister of Malcolm Whitman, PhD (and Tracy Keller, PhD) of Jamaica Plain, MA. Also survived by her treasured aunt and uncle, cousins, friends, and the colleagues, patients, and medical residents at Yale New Haven Hospital to whom she devoted herself tirelessly.
Laura attended Phillips Academy Andover, graduated summa cum laude from Duke University, and received her medical degree, with highest honors, from Case Western Reserve University. She adored and prioritized her role as mother of her two amazing children and loved to travel, hike, and garden. Professionally, she served for 30 years a highly regarded clinician, educator, and academic leader in General Internal Medicine at Yale University. She cared deeply about equity in health care, patient care, and quality in medical education. Over the years, Laura helped to train hundreds of doctors and held numerous leadership positions at Yale New Haven Hospital, most recently as director of the New Haven Primary Care Consortium, a position she cherished, and in which she provided remarkable guidance and vision, despite her illness, throughout the Covid-19 pandemic. She brought grace, humor, equanimity, humility, and kindness to all her roles, and was a beloved colleague, mentor and friend to many.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made in Dr. Whitman's memory to the Closer to Free Fund for Smilow Cancer Hospital.
A Memorial Service will be held at First Church Congregational, 148 Beach Road, Fairfield, CT 06824, on February 11 at 2pm.