After more than two decades of service, vascular neurologist Dana DeWitt, MD, reflects on a career shaped by innovation in stroke care and lasting relationships with patients and colleagues.
After more than two decades of dedicated service, L. Dana DeWitt, MD, retired in December, leaving an enduring legacy in the University of Utah Department of Neurology. A respected clinician, educator, and leader in stroke care, DeWitt’s career reflects not only the evolution of modern neurology but also the deep relationships that define academic medicine at its best.
For DeWitt, the decision to retire was not easy. “I don’t think anybody really wants to leave,” she said. “It took me a while to decide.” That hesitation speaks to the environment she found at the University of Utah, one grounded in collaboration and genuine camaraderie.
A Calling Shaped by Mentorship and Curiosity
DeWitt’s path to neurology was anything but linear. As an undergraduate, she initially planned to become a choir director. But her interests quickly shifted. “I realized that I really didn’t like it. I loved biology, science, and math,” she recalled.
A pivotal conversation with her father solidified her direction. “He asked me what I really wanted, and I said, ‘I want to go to medical school’; and he goes, ‘Well, then you better go.’”
During medical school at Tulane, DeWitt was inspired by an attending neurologist, Dr. Patterson, “… a brilliant woman who was a great mentor,” she said. That early exposure helped guide her toward a field she found intellectually compelling and deeply meaningful. “There’s nothing I like as much as neurology,” she said.
Additionally, she credits the success of her career to a mentor who guided her interest into stroke. Dr. Louis Caplan was a world-renown vascular neurologist, who DeWitt met during her internship in Chicago and later worked with in Boston at Tufts. “He taught me that you learn brain localization one stroke at a time.”
Her Neurology residency training took her from the University of Michigan to a vascular neurology fellowship at Massachusetts General Hospital, followed by faculty work in Boston. Along the way, she participated in early stroke research and clinical trials, and learned to interpret transcranial Doppler ultrasound when it was first introduced.
Finding a Home at the University of Utah
Although DeWitt interviewed at the U early in her career, it was years before she ultimately joined the faculty. A chance encounter with a job listing brought her back to Utah, and a second visit sealed the decision.
“I just loved everybody I met,” she said. “Everyone was so happy and so excited.”
That sense of connection became a defining feature of her experience, and DeWitt found joy in working alongside supportive colleagues. Over time, she watched the department grow, but it never lost its collaborative spirit.
“It’s such a wonderful place to work. Part of it is socialization, because everybody is so much fun,” she said. “But a lot of it too is discussing cases and learning from everybody else.”
Advancing Stroke Care through Decades of Change
When DeWitt’s career began, stroke care looked very different. Diagnostic tools were limited, as were treatment options. Over time, she witnessed and helped advance transformational changes in the field.
She participated in early clinical trials of thrombolytic therapies and mechanical interventions. “There was a lot of skepticism,” she said of early clot-busting treatments. She also recalled the challenges of early mechanical thrombectomy techniques. Procedures could take hours, with limited success.
Those approaches have evolved dramatically, leading to faster treatment and significantly improved patient outcomes. DeWitt’s career mirrors this progress, as highlighted in her contributions to the department’s stroke program and inpatient neurology services, ultimately serving as Medical Director for the Inpatient Neurology/NeuroSurgery Service at the University Hospital.
Beyond stroke, she also contributed to advances in multiple sclerosis care, participating in clinical trials and helping refine treatment strategies.
A Physician Patients Trusted for Decades
While her clinical expertise is widely recognized, DeWitt’s greatest impact may be seen in the relationships with her patients. Many remained under her care for decades.
“One of the biggest things I’ve loved about my job is my patients. I had patients when I was leaving that would say, ‘Oh my gosh, I’ve seen you for 20 years.’”
That continuity of care made retirement especially difficult. “It was hard to hand them off to somebody else,” she admitted.
Patients consistently praised her ability to communicate complex conditions with clarity and compassion, a quality that fostered trust and long-term partnerships in care.
Lasting Legacy
DeWitt leaves behind a department transformed by growth, innovation, and a shared commitment to excellence. From expanding inpatient services to building multidisciplinary collaborations and contributing to regional stroke systems of care, her influence is deeply embedded in the fabric of the department.
Her career exemplifies the mission of the University of Utah Department of Neurology, a place where collaboration thrives, mentorship matters, and community endures.
“I can’t say enough about my experience at University of Utah,” DeWitt said. “It’s just been amazing.”