We are heartbroken by the sudden passing of Dr. Amiram Katz, MD, DABPN— a brilliant neurologist, innovator, and deeply compassionate physician.
For more than 40 years, Dr. Katz dedicated his life to patient-centered care, offering expertise and hope to countless patients, especially within the Lyme community. His scientific rigor, open-mindedness, and compassion truly set him apart. At a time when few physicians, and even fewer neurologists, understood the complexity of Lyme and tick-borne disease, Dr. Katz chose to step forward. That willingness placed a target on his back, one he wore proudly. He never backed down.
As his patients’ conditions became chronic, he continued to serve them relentlessly, researching secondary and neurological complications, and expanding his work into sleep disorders, Alzheimer’s disease, and other conditions affecting this community. He worked tirelessly, often seven days a week, to meet an overwhelming need. Dr. Katz was ahead of his time in believing that pathogens, like the Lyme bacteria, could cause neurological and psychological issues and in so doing, helped and saved many of his patients.
In the words of Dr. Brian Fallon:
“Dr Katz was a dear friend and a close colleague — admired by me and many others for his brilliant mind, his tireless devotion to patients, his ability to think creatively and outside of the box of standard medicine, and his huge heart which welcomed and brought hope to all those who entered his office. He was a courageous and determined clinician and physician scientist who changed the world for the better.”
Many of his patients felt the same profound impact. As Julie Deery shared:
“Dr Katz was my hero! He saved my life after having spent over 2 years suffering with debilitating Lyme disease. He treated me with kindness, respect, reverence, and compassion. He will forever be in my heart.”
Dr. Katz’s education began in Tel Aviv, and he was proud of his service in the Israeli military. His mind was extraordinary, constantly analyzing, integrating new medical research, collaborating with colleagues, and finding new ways to help his patients. Yet he delivered all of this with warmth, humility, a smile, and often a hug. You always left his office with hope.
Dr. Katz will be remembered for his passion, intellect, courage, and unwavering devotion to his patients. His legacy lives on through the lives he touched and the advancements he championed. His memory will forever be a blessing to those who knew, respected, and loved him. He will be deeply missed.
זִכְרוֹנוֹ לִבְרָכָה (Zichrono livracha) — May his memory be for a blessing
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