In Memoriam: Andrea S. Boxer, 86
Andrea S. Boxer, an esteemed clinical social worker and a trailblazer in infertility counseling at the University of Pennsylvania, passed away on April 20, at her home due to leukemia. She was 86.
Dr. Boxer obtained her master’s degree and doctorate in social work from Bryn Mawr College during the 1960s and 1970s. Her distinguished career, which spanned 43 years, was dedicated to her role as a clinical social worker and a specialist in infertility counseling at Penn and its affiliated hospital.
In 1982, she joined the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology at the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania, later assisting clients referred from Main Line Fertility and other private organizations. She retired this past February.
According to her son, Lou, Dr. Boxer was known for her nurturing and straightforward demeanor. She was a lifelong advocate for women’s health, highly skilled in navigating sensitive topics in tense situations.
In a 1986 interview, she noted the importance of recognizing individual experiences with infertility, emphasizing that open communication could alleviate pressure. “The more vocal they are, the less pressure they feel,” she stated.
Beyond infertility, Dr. Boxer addressed issues such as holiday stress, weight management, and midlife crises. She was a sought-after speaker at various workshops, and her infertility research was published by the American Society for Reproductive Medicine among others.
Born on January 6, 1939, in Philadelphia, Andrea Ellen Salzmann grew up in Center City and graduated from the Philadelphia High School for Girls. She met her husband, Arthur Boxer, on the Boardwalk in Atlantic City in 1960. They had two children, Lou and Sarah, though Sarah passed away in 2005. Dr. Boxer is survived by her son, two grandsons, two brothers, and other family members.
A celebration of her life will be held on Saturday, May 17, from 2 to 5 p.m. at the Strath Haven Condominiums Common Room in Swarthmore, PA. In her memory, donations can be made to the Leukemia and MDS Research Fund and the Abramson Cancer Center at the University of Pennsylvania.
