Harold Reitman

Last updated
Harold Reitman
Hackie Reitman M.D.jpg
Born1950 (age 7374)
Citizenship American
Alma mater Boston University School of Medicine
Occupations
  • Philanthropist
  • entrepreneur
  • author
Years active1978–present
Children1

Harold "Hackie" Stuart Reitman (born March 29, 1950 Jersey City, New Jersey) is an American orthopedic surgeon, former professional boxer, entrepreneur, author, and philanthropist. He is the founder and CEO of Different Brains. Reitman fought as a professional heavyweight boxer while working full-time as an orthopedic surgeon, and was widely referred to as the Boxing Doctor during his career.

Contents

Early life

Reitman, who goes by the nickname, "Hackie", grew up in the Greenville section of Jersey City, the youngest of four children. Reitman's parents owned a gas station where his father Phil worked as a mechanic and his mother Evelyn pumped gas. [1] Reitman started boxing at the age of 13 at the Jewish Community Center in Jersey City. He graduated from Henry Snyder High School where he played varsity basketball. In the fall of 1968, Reitman entered the accelerated six-year medical program at Boston University School of Medicine. In his first year of medical school, Reitman surprised classmates and faculty by entering the 1971 New England Golden Gloves championships in Lowell, MA as a heavyweight. Reitman won all four of his fights by knockout and became the 1971 New England Golden Gloves heavyweight champion. Following the title fight, Reitman was approached by Boston promoter Sam Silverman and a New York investment group who offered Reitman a $100,000 professional contract bonus on the condition he leave medical school and turn professional heavyweight boxer. [2] Reitman declined the offer and completed his medical school studies. [3]

Medical career

During medical school, Reitman often worked as the house doctor at sporting events at the Boston Garden. [4] He graduated from Boston University School of Medicine in 1974 and began an internship at St. Joseph's Regional Medical Center in Paterson, NJ. He entered the Boston University Orthopedic Residency Program the following year and served rotations at the Lahey Hospital & Medical Center, Shriners Hospital for Children, in Springfield, Mass. and Boston Medical Center and as Chief Resident at Boston City Hospital.

In 1978, Reitman moved to Plantation, Florida, where he founded Orthopaedic Associates USA. A specialist in arthroscopic knee surgery and sports medicine, Reitman served as senior surgeon and CEO, expanding the practice throughout South Florida. [5] Reitman retired from surgery in 2004.

Reitman would travel from Florida to Boston University School of Medicine as "Clinical Assistant Professor of Anatomy" to deliver his annual lecture to all first-year medical students, Clinical Anatomy of the Upper Extremity, a tradition that continued through 2011. [2] Reitman is a fellow of the American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons, the American College of Surgeons, and the International College of Surgeons.

Professional boxing career

In 1986, Reitman's 4-year-old son Asa required emergency brain surgery and was transported by air to the Mayo Clinic. This event had a profound impact on Reitman and would serve as the driving force behind his subsequent dedication to professional boxing. Reitman made a personal vow to revive his boxing career in order to raise money for children's charities. Asa survived the surgery, and Reitman and another parent from the Mayo clinic, Ed Zbikowsky, whose son also underwent brain surgery, organized a charity card in Chicago that matched Reitman against Illinois Judge Mike Bolan in a three-round amateur fight sanctioned by the ABF. Reitman won the fight by knocking out Bolan in the third round. The proceeds from the event were donated to St. Jude's Children's Research Hospital in Memphis. [6] [7] In 1988, Reitman performed knee surgery on boxing manager and promoter Tommy Torino, a former middleweight fighter. Torino agreed to take on Reitman in his bid to become a professional fighter and became his manager and trainer. [8] At that time, the Florida State Athletic Commission only allowed boxers to fight up to the age of 35 and turned Reitman down in his first attempt to acquire a professional boxing license. On appeal, Torino traveled to Tallahassee and convinced the commission that Reitman deserved an exception, and after a thorough health exam the commission granted him a license. In 1988, at the age of 37, Reitman turned professional.

Reitman went on to win his first three sanctioned professional fights. [9] As a heavyweight, he won seven of his first nine fights, including six knockouts in the first two rounds. All of Reitman's fight purses were donated to various children's charities. He gained widespread media attention around this time and was often referred to as the "Boxing Doctor" or Fighting Surgeon, a name that stuck throughout his career. [3] [10] Early in his career, Reitman trained out of the famed 5th Street Gym in Miami Beach, Florida. Former lightweight world champion Beau Jack worked as Reitman's fitness conditioner and boxing mentor. When the gym was demolished in 1993, Reitman moved his training to Gerrits Leprechaun Gym in Miami.

On February 15, 1991, with a professional record of 7-1-1, Reitman fought a three-round charity exhibition match against the five-time world champion Roberto Durán at the Hollywood Diplomat Hotel in Miami Beach. [11] On November 11, 1991, Reitman fought heavyweight Tim Anderson for the NBA Independent Cruiserweight title in a televised fight. Though Reitman scored two 9th round knockdowns, the fight ended in a draw. In March 1992, Reitman was the 12th ranked Heavyweight boxer in the world according to the International Boxing Council. [12] On December 12, 1995, in a scheduled 10 round main event fight, Reitman lost to heavyweight Peter McNeeley, who had only been defeated twice in his career, with one of those defeats having occurred at the hands of Mike Tyson several months earlier.

In December 2000, Reitman fought Kenny Lunkins in a scheduled 10 round main event at War Memorial Auditorium in Fort Lauderdale, FL. At the age of 50, Reitman was the state of Florida's oldest active fighter. [13] Reitman retired from boxing in 2002 at the age of 52, with a lifetime record of 13-7-6, with 11 knockouts.

Professional boxing record

26 fights13 wins7 losses
By knockout110
By decision27
Draws6
No.ResultRecordOpponentTypeRound, timeDateLocation
26Loss13-7-6Kenny LunkinsHeavyweight6, 8Dec 15, 2000Memorial Auditorium, Ft. Lauderdale, FL

Philanthropy

During his boxing career, Reitman donated all of his fight purses to various children's charities, [3] including the Make A Wish Foundation, Kids In Distressed Situations, The Boys and Girls Club of Broward County, Children's Home Society, The Ann Storck Center for the Disabled, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, and others.

Reitman has been a longtime supporter of the Boys and Girls Club, and is a member of the board for the Boys and Girls Clubs of Broward County, serving as chairman of the board in 2001. Reitman donated the building at 3025 W. Broward Blvd that is now known as the Dr. Harold 'Hackie' Reitman Unit Boys and Girls Club. [14]

Awards

Recent business

In 2010, Reitman wrote, produced, and co-directed the feature length independent film, The Square Root of 2, starring Darby Stanchfield. [17] In 2017, Reitman Co-Produced the feature documentary film Foreman, based on the life of legendary boxer George Foreman. [18] He currently serves as CEO of PCE Media LLC, the entertainment company he founded in 2004. Reitman is also a partner in Milestone Apartment Developers LLP, a Colorado-based multifamily real estate development firm.

Reitman currently lives in Fort Lauderdale, Florida.

Advocacy

Reitman is a prominent Autism and Aspergers advocate, and active writer and lecturer on the topic of neurodiversity. [19] [20] His non-fiction work, Aspertools: The Practical Guide for Understanding and Embracing Asperger's, Autism Spectrum Disorders, and Neurodiversity, included his review of the scientific community's research conducted over the last nearly 40 years, and was published by HCI Books [21] on April 7, 2015. [22] In the first weeks after its release, it climbed to #1 on the Amazon Best Sellers list within the Autism and Aspergers category.

In 2015, he founded DifferentBrains.org, a non-profit organization developed to provide neurodiversity resources and inclusive support communities for those on the autism spectrum or with neurological disorders. [23]

Bibliography

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Rocky Marciano</span> American boxer (1923–1969)

Rocco Francis Marchegiano, better known as Rocky Marciano, was an American professional boxer who competed from 1947 to 1955. He held the world heavyweight championship from 1952 to 1956, and remains the only heavyweight champion to finish his career undefeated. His six title defenses were against Jersey Joe Walcott, Roland La Starza, Ezzard Charles (twice), Don Cockell and Archie Moore.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Evander Holyfield</span> American boxer (born 1962)

Evander Holyfield is an American former professional boxer who competed between 1984 and 2011. He reigned as the undisputed champion at cruiserweight in the late 1980s and at heavyweight in the early 1990s, and is the only boxer in history to win the undisputed championship in two weight classes in the three belt era. Nicknamed "the Real Deal", Holyfield is the only four-time world heavyweight champion, having held the unified WBA, WBC, and IBF titles from 1990 to 1992, the WBA and IBF titles again from 1993 to 1994, the WBA title a third time from 1996 to 1999; the IBF title a third time from 1997 to 1999 and the WBA title for a fourth time from 2000 to 2001.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Trevor Berbick</span> Jamaican boxer (1954–2006)

Trevor Berbick was a Jamaican professional boxer who competed from 1976 to 2000. He won the WBC heavyweight title in 1986 by defeating Pinklon Thomas, then lost it in his first defense in the same year to Mike Tyson. Berbick was the last boxer to fight Muhammad Ali, defeating him in 1981 by unanimous decision.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Neurodiversity</span> Non-pathological explanation of variations in mental functions

Neurodiversity is a framework for understanding human brain function and mental illness. It argues that diversity in human cognition is normal and that some conditions classified as mental disorders are differences and disabilities that are not necessarily pathological.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Autism rights movement</span> Disability rights movement for autistic people

The autism rights movement, also known as the autistic acceptance movement, is a social movement allied with disability rights that emphasizes a neurodiversity paradigm, viewing autism as a disability with variations in the human brain rather than as a disease to be cured. The movement advocates for several goals, including greater acceptance of autistic traits and behaviors; reforms of services - i.e. services that focus on improving quality of life and well-being instead of suppression and masking of autistic traits that are adaptive or not harmful or imitations of social behaviors of neurotypical (non-autistic) peers ; the creation of social networks and events that allow autistic people to socialize on their own terms; and the recognition of the autistic community as a minority group.

Wilfred Raleigh Pastrano was an American former professional boxer who competed from 1951 to 1965. He held the undisputed WBA, WBC, and The Ring light heavyweight titles between 1963 and 1965.

Anthony F. DePalma was an orthopedic surgeon and professor at Thomas Jefferson University, as well as the founder of the orthopedic department at University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey. DePalma was a commander in the US Navy during World War II, an author of numerous medical manuscripts and textbooks, and the creator and first editor-in-chief of the medical journal Clinical Orthopaedics and Related Research.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Glen Johnson (boxer)</span> Jamaican boxer

Glengoffe Donovan Bartholomew Johnson is a Jamaican former professional boxer who competed from 1993 to 2015. He held the IBF, IBO and Ring magazine light heavyweight titles between 2004 and 2005, and challenged once each for world titles at middleweight and super middleweight.

"Baby" Joe Mesi is an American retired boxer and Democratic Party politician from Tonawanda, New York. During his career, he defeated former world champion Vassily Jirov as well as former title challengers Bert Cooper, Monte Barrett, DaVarryl Williamson, and Jorge Luis González.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Manuel Casanova</span> American professor

Manuel F. Casanova is the SmartState Endowed Chair in Childhood Neurotherapeutics and a professor of Biomedical Sciences at the University of South Carolina School of Medicine Greenville. He is a former Gottfried and Gisela Kolb Endowed Chair in Outpatient Psychiatry and a Professor of Anatomical Sciences and Neurobiology at the University of Louisville.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Societal and cultural aspects of autism</span>

Societal and cultural aspects of autism or sociology of autism come into play with recognition of autism, approaches to its support services and therapies, and how autism affects the definition of personhood. The autistic community is divided primarily into two camps; the autism rights movement and the Pathology paradigm. The pathology paradigm advocates for supporting research into therapies, treatments, and/or a cure to help minimize or remove autistic traits, seeing treatment as vital to help individuals with autism, while the neurodiversity movement believes autism should be seen as a different way of being and advocates against a cure and interventions that focus on normalization, seeing it as trying to exterminate autistic people and their individuality. Both are controversial in autism communities and advocacy which has led to significant infighting between these two camps. While the dominant paradigm is the pathology paradigm and is followed largely by autism research and scientific communities, the neurodiversity movement is highly popular among most autistic people, within autism advocacy, autism rights organizations, and related neurodiversity approaches have been rapidly growing and applied in the autism research field in the last few years.

Martin Dobelle was an American surgeon.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Broward Health</span> Hospital in Florida, United States

Broward Health, formally the North Broward Hospital District, is one of the 10 largest public health systems in the U.S. Located in Broward County, Florida, Broward Health has the county's first certified stroke center and liver transplant program. Broward Health currently operates more than 30 healthcare facilities, including Broward Health Medical Center, Broward Health North, Broward Health Imperial Point, Broward Health Coral Springs, Salah Foundation Broward Health Children's Hospital, and Broward Health Weston.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Hans Asperger</span> Austrian pediatrician, medical theorist, and medical professor

Johann Friedrich Karl Asperger was an Austrian physician. Noted for his early studies on atypical neurology, specifically in children, he is the namesake of the autism spectrum disorder Asperger syndrome. He wrote more than 300 publications on psychological disorders that posthumously acquired international renown in the 1980s. His diagnosis of autism, which he termed "autistic psychopathy", also garnered controversy. Further controversy arose during the late 2010s over allegations that Asperger referred children to a Nazi German clinic responsible for murdering disabled patients, although his knowledge and involvement remains unknown.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Lifestyle Lift</span> Facial cosmetic surgery practice

Lifestyle Lift was a national facial cosmetic surgery practice with headquarters in Troy, Michigan, United States. The company's name in all caps is a trademarked brand name used to market a particular type of facial surgery called the lifestyle lift. In 2012, Debby Boone became the spokesperson for the company in its television commercials and its half-hour infomercial. The company discontinued using Boone in late 2013 shifting to a new advertising campaign. The company abruptly closed all its offices in early March 2015 and announced its intention to declare bankruptcy.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Magomed Abdusalamov</span> Russian boxer (born 1981)

Magomed Abdusalamov is a Russian former professional boxer who competed from 2008 to 2013. As an amateur he won the 2005 and 2006 Russian national championships in the super-heavyweight division. He turned professional in 2008, fighting nineteen times at heavyweight and winning his first eighteen by knockout. In 2013, Abdusalamov was forced to retire from the sport due to severe brain injuries sustained during his only career defeat.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Alex Plank</span> American actor

Alexander Plank is an American autism advocate, filmmaker and actor. He is known for founding the online community Wrong Planet, working on FX's television series The Bridge, and acting on The Good Doctor. At the age of 9, Plank was diagnosed with Asperger syndrome. Plank started Wrong Planet at the age of 17 in order to find others like him on the Internet. After the popularity of Wrong Planet grew, Plank began to be frequently mentioned in the mainstream media in articles relating to autism, Asperger's, and autism rights.

Haley Moss is an attorney, contemporary American pop art artist, author and advocate for people with disabilities. Diagnosed at age three with high-functioning autism, she has been recognized by Project Lifesaver, University of Miami, Dan Marino Foundation, "Hope for Children" and Council for Exceptional Children (CEC) for her efforts, talents and philanthropy.

Autism spectrum disorders (ASDs) or autism spectrum conditions (ASCs) describe a range of conditions classified as neurodevelopmental disorders in the DSM-5, used by the American Psychiatric Association. As with many neurodivergent people and conditions, the popular image of autistic people and autism itself is often based on inaccurate media representations. Additionally, media about autism may promote pseudoscience such as vaccine denial or facilitated communication.

As a Franchise of the National Golden Gloves, the New England Golden Gloves is the annual amateur boxing competition for the New England States. It has been held every year since 1945 at the Lowell Memorial Auditorium in Lowell, Massachusetts. Competitors over the years include boxing greats, such as; Rocky Marciano, Sugar Ray Leonard, Marvin Hagler, and Micky Ward. The competitions typically take place in January through February, with the winners heading to the National Golden Gloves in May.

References

  1. Anderson, Chris (Dec 12, 1995). "Fight doctor in it for the children". Sarasota Herald Tribune.
  2. 1 2 Fitzgerald, Brian (Sep 27, 2002). "Hackie Reitman-just call him the fight doctor". B.U. Bridge. Retrieved March 3, 2014.
  3. 1 2 3 Vecsey, George (15 Feb 1990). "The healer who hits people". New York Times. Retrieved 5 March 2014.
  4. Vecsey, George (10 Dec 1995). "The Boxing Doctor Recalls Mr. Monsoon". New York Times. Retrieved 5 March 2014.
  5. Robb, Sharon (16 Sep 2001). "Healthsouth classic a hit". Sun Sentinel. Retrieved 5 March 2014.
  6. Wallace, David (6 March 1988). "Professional jabs Plantation doctor battles lawyer in Chicago charity fray". Sun Sentinel. Retrieved 5 March 2014.
  7. LaBelle, Fran (19 Feb 1989). "Doctor re-enters the ring for his little girl". Chicago Tribune. Retrieved 5 March 2014.
  8. "Fists of a surgeon". Los Angeles Times. 23 Feb 1990. Retrieved 5 March 2014.
  9. Schmitz, Brian (7 May 1991). "When surgery is done, fighting commences". Orlando Sentinel. Retrieved 5 March 2014.
  10. "Good Morning America". NBC. 19 April 1990.
  11. "Names in the game". Associated Press. Retrieved 5 March 2014.
  12. Azevedo, David (2 March 1992). "The doctor's second career is a real knockout". Medical Economics. Archived from the original on 9 March 2016. Retrieved 5 March 2014.
  13. Robb, Sharon (14 Dec 2000). "Lunkins fight against Reitman is a battle of young vs. old". Sun Sentinel. Retrieved 5 March 2014.
  14. Segura, Alex (16 Sep 2001). "The Final Round". Sun Sentinel. Retrieved 5 March 2014.
  15. Rob, Sharon (6 Oct 2002). "Broward County honors six with induction into Sports Hall of Fame". Sun Sentinel. Retrieved 5 March 2014.
  16. "Class of 2011". Florida Boxing Hall of Fame. Retrieved 5 March 2014.
  17. "The Square Root of 2". IMDB.
  18. "Foreman". IMDB. Retrieved March 22, 2018.
  19. Bernick, Michael (March 2016). "California's Contingent Economy and the autistic creatives society". Fox & Hounds. Retrieved 2 August 2016.
  20. Reitman, Harold (6 October 2015). "Understanding Neurodiversity with Author Hackie Reitman". The Autism Show. Retrieved 2 August 2016.
  21. Reitman, Harold. "Aspertools". HCIBooks.com. Retrieved December 18, 2016.
  22. Dumas, Kitty (April 21, 2015). "Doc turned author: all brains are different". Miami Herald.
  23. "About Different Brains". Different Brains. Retrieved 2 August 2016.