About Dr. Edward Leitão
Ed was born in continental Portugal in 1948 but in his early childhood moved with his family, including his 3 brothers, to the Azores where his father served as a provincial government official. Seeking more opportunities for the boys, the family moved to Somerville, MA, when Ed was a teenager. It was here that Ed would meet Laura Tatosky, his future devoted wife of over 45 years.
After serving his new country in Vietnam, Ed pursued premedical studies graduating from the University of Massachusetts, Boston in 1978. He graduated medical school from the University of Guadalajara, Mexico, in 1983. Ed completed an internship at Waltham and Brigham & Women’s Hospital and subsequently joined the Cambridge Hospital as a medical resident in 1985.
In 1987 he became a staff physician at the East Cambridge Health Center. He was promoted to medical director of the Center in 1992, overseeing its growth and its successful move in 1999 from Cambridge St. to its present-day location on Gore St. where he continued to serve in that role until 2000.
In 2003, Ed left CHA to join the United States Air Force as a medical officer in Tampa, Florida. However, in 2005, Ed returned to CHA briefly to assist his brother Mario who was facing serious health issues. When he left CHA for good, former patients and members of the East Cambridge community would for years continue to lament the loss of their much-loved Portuguese doctor.
Ed returned to Florida, which reminded him of his happy youth in the Azores, and he spent the remainder of his medical career with the St. Augustine Veteran’s Administration (VA) where he worked until reaching full retirement age. He enjoyed spending quality time with his family, travel regularly to Portugal, and actively serve the Portuguese Club of Palm Coast, FL in several roles , including Assembly President.
During his last 8 years, Ed would face a cancer diagnosis which he fought admirably and courageously, remaining incredibly fearless until the end.
Ed is survived by his loving family: his wife Laura, daughters Renee and Michelle, and grandson Joel. He is extremely missed by his many friends and colleagues in New England, Florida and Portugal.
The Dr. Edward Leitão Memorial Scholarship Fund was created in 2015 to honor his legacy and continue his positive impact in the Portuguese-American community.
Education
1978- University of Massachusetts, Boston.
1983 - Medical School at University of Guadalajara, Mexico.
1983 - Internship at Brigham & Women’s Hospital in Waltham.
1985 - Residency at Cambridge Hospital.
