Abraham J. Twerski
Founder/Medical Director Emeritus
Gateway Rehabilitation Center
abrahamtwerski.com

For more than 37 years, Gateway Rehabilitation Center has thrived under the guiding spirit and leadership of founder and medical director emeritus, Dr. Abraham J. Twerski, an internationally respected authority on the treatment of alcohol and other drug dependencies. 

Dr. Twerski, an ordained rabbi, held a pulpit until 1959 when he graduated from Marquette University Medical School and went on to complete his psychiatric residency at the University of Pittsburgh Western Psychiatric Institute. For 20 years, he served as clinical director of the Department of Psychiatry at St. Francis Hospital, Pittsburgh, and was an associate professor of psychiatry at the University of Pittsburgh's School of Medicine. He has been awarded with honorary degrees from St. Vincent's College, Duquesne University and Indiana University of Pennsylvania based on his scientific contributions and community efforts.

Dr. Twerski and the Sisters of St. Francis first opened Gateway Rehab in 1972 as a 28-day alcohol and drug dependence treatment center. A 2008 James W. West, M.D. Quality Improvement Award winner, Gateway Rehab also has been named one of the nation's "top 12 rehabilitation programs" in a survey conducted by Forbes magazine and called one of the "best treatment centers" in both Rehab magazine and The 100 Best Treatment Centers Guide to Addiction Care.

Pennsylvania's first program for nurses with alcohol or drug problems called "Nurses off Chemicals," was started by Dr. Twerski, who went on to serve on the Governor's Council on Drug and Alcohol Abuse and as chair of the Pennsylvania Medical Society Committee on the Impaired Physician.

The author of more than 60 books, including collaborations with the late Charles Schulz, creator of the Peanuts characters, Dr. Twerski has been a guest on many television and radio programs and featured in hundreds of magazines, newspapers and publications worldwide. He appears in numerous videos, including "Animals and Angels: Spirituality in Recovery,"  "Like Yourself: Building Self-Esteem in Recovery" and "Liking Yourself: Part II." He has lectured extensively on chemical dependency and other topics such as stress, self-esteem and spirituality.  In addition, Dr. Twerski has traveled the world as a spokesperson for recovery on behalf of the millions who have achieved it and with goals that inspire, encourage and challenge those still finding their way.       

Dr. Twerski's most recent book is titled, Without a Job, Who Am I? Published by Hazelden, this new book offers a system of support designed to help individuals develop and sustain a true sense of self-worth and identity after being shaken by professional or economic upheaval. 

Beginning with the most recent, the following is a timeline including some of Dr. Twerski's most remarkable achievements.

2008
Received 50 Years of Service award from The Allegheny County Medical Society

Featured in the book, Pittsburgh Born, Pittsburgh Bred as one of "500 of the most memorable Pittsburghers who have shaped the region and the world in the past 250 years"

2006
Received the Michael Q. Ford Journalism Award from the National Association of Addiction Treatment Providers (NAATP)

2005
Received Gateway Rehabilitation Center's inaugural Hope Award, now known as the Twerski Hope Award

2002
Received the Nelson J. Bradley Life Time Achievement Award, given annually by the National Association of Addiction Treatment Providers (NAATP) to an individual whose lifetime has been committed to furthering the cause of addiction treatment

2001
Received Health Care Hero Lifetime Achievement Award presented by the Pittsburgh Business Times, Allegheny County Medical Society and the Western Pennsylvania Hospital Council

1998
Received the Catholic Charities of Pittsburgh's Caritas Award for Service

Received the American Psychiatric Association's Oskar Pfister Award

1997
Received the Pennsylvania Medical Society's Distinguished Service Award, the Society's greatest honor given to an individual for his or her dedication to work in the chemical dependency field

1991
Named a "Real Pittsburgher" by Pittsburgh Magazine

1980
Earned citation for "Contribution to the Integration of Religion and the Behavioral Sciences"

1975
Received the Martin Luther King Citizen's Award