Dr. Witten legacy gives back
Acquiring a new ultrasound machine for Wright Memorial Hospital received a big boost today with the announcement of a generous gift with lots of local history. The “Equipped for the Future Campaign” currently underway by the Wright Memorial Hospital Foundation received a gift from the family of the late Dr. David Witten bringing the reality of the new machine a bit closer.
Recognizing the importance of rural hospitals and the significance of Dr. Witten’s career in radiology, the family accepted the invitation to support the local effort knowing that nothing meant more than giving back to a community that was so important to him throughout his entire lifetime.
A native of Grundy County, David M. Witten was born on the family farm near Galt; one of three children and the only son of Buford and Mary Louise Witten. He graduated from Trenton High School and attended one year of Trenton Junior College before serving in the Navy.
Coming home from the War, David graduated from Washington University with Bachelor’s and medical degrees. He married Netta, a sweet young lady from St. Louis who became a nurse and together they would enjoy a marriage lasting over 60 years. They were the parents of two sons, Michael and David. The Witten’s returned to Trenton where the importance of home town roots became quickly apparent. David began his own medical practice in the old Cullers Hospital in Trenton. The family lived near the hospital and many stories are recalled by the family of people who made a difference in their lives. Recognizing the need to better serve his patients and responding to the request from a patient of the rural area, the Witten’s opened a small office in Gilman City where Dr. Witten would see patients a half day a month and Netta assisted him as nurse and office manager. Although very involved in medicine, the interest in photography continued to be a passion for David and it was here that the importance of radiology surfaced – something that captured his fascination for a life time.
The Witten family left Trenton in 1957 for Minnesota where David earned a Master’s in Radiological Science and the doors opened to support his passion – medicine, photography and radiology. He accepted a position at the famed Mayo’s Clinic, a position he held for over 13 years.
The family relocated to Alabama where Dr. Witten became a college professor and the Chairman of the University of Alabama’s Radiology Department in Birmingham; a career lasting for over 10 years.
Returning to Missouri in 1982, he was named Chairman of Radiology at the University of Missouri. During this time, his position also allowed him to engage in services to north Missouri by providing radiology coverage in the rural hospitals of Trenton, Chillicothe and Brookfield.
In 1987, he announced his retirement and was named Professor Emeritus of Radiology remaining active on a part-time basis until 1999. Among his many professional accolades, Dr. Witten was honored in 2005 as a Distinguished Alum of Trenton Junior College and returned to Trenton for the awards ceremony where he once again thanked the community for providing him a quality education and a start to his medical career.
Dr. Witten passed away in 2007 making one last trip home for his burial. Mrs. Witten continues to reside in Columbia today where son Dave also lives. Michael Witten makes his home in Atlanta, Georgia.
“Always wanting to give back”, Mrs. Witten says “David felt a great respect for the community and cared about Trenton. He also saw the importance of providing training for area residents choosing careers in the medical field.” Both sons called him “a great person and a good father; he loved to teach, he generally was just passionate about everything.” He is remembered as a family man who always had a positive outlook on life.
The Witten family is quick to acknowledge the need for rural hospitals, allowing folks the opportunity to stay close to home for medical treatment and not travel to the city. They also endorsed the importance of a new ultrasound machine - a vital piece of equipment that serves patients of all ages and after all, radiology was so very important to Dr. Witten and even after his death, the importance is still about giving back to what meant so much to him.
“It has been an honor getting to know the entire Witten family, learning their history and the impact they’ve made on Trenton”, says Foundation Development Officer Matt Osterthun. “This is a true example of a family giving back to an organization and a community that gave them so much and we hope this will inspire others to make a difference just like Netta and her sons have done in honor of Dr. Witten’s legacy.”
The “Equipped for the Future” Campaign continues today with over half of the necessary funds raised to purchase both the OB Centralized Monitoring System and the new Ultrasound Machine. Just like the Witten family, residents of the area are encouraged to support the effort just like those who have moved realizing the impact their gift can make on the lives of others. Those interested in contributing should contact the WMH Foundation office at 660-358-5706.