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Reginald Spencer Lourie, M.D. (1908–1988)
In Memoriam Reginald Spencer Lourie, M.D.
(1908-1988) Dr. Lourie introduced many innovative hospital procedures to provide a more normal environment for the ill child , staff, and students. He became a member of the Academy of Pediatrics and served on its editorial board for 5 years. He also was a member of the American Pediatric Society and was invited to present many scientific papers to pediatricians. His department staff reflected his personality. There was a warm collaborative relationship among social workers, psychologists, and child psychiatrists, with clearly defined complimentary roles, both in treatment and training. The Hospital's Department of Education established a strong pediatric psychiatry curriculum for the medical students. Many pediatric residents and a number of pediatricians were attracted to his residency program. His trainees became directors of other child psychiatric services or staff members locally and elsewhere. Dr. Lourie supported the development of two other training centers for child psychiatrists, Georgetown Hospital and Walter Reed Army Medical Center. He also created a welcome home for young child psychiatrists assigned to military service in Washington. Physicians from other parts of the world came for extended periods of time. Dr. Lourie's office always was open. Dr. Lourie was a superb teacher and lecturer. He made the child a most important person, someone who could and should be understood and cared for. Audiences always responded enthusiastically to his warmth, sincerity, and wisdom. He was on the faculty ofthree medical schools; Professor of Child Health and Human Development (Pediatrics) and Professor of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences of the George Washington University School of Medicine (1948-1974, Emeritus); Clinical Professor of Psychiatry, University of Maryland School of Medicine (1959-1962); Clinical Professor of Psychiatry, the Uniformed Services University of Health Sciences School of Medicine from 1977. He also was a lecturer at the Howard and Georgetown Medical Schools. In 1957, Dr. Lourie was President of the American Orthopsychiatric Association. Between 1959 and 1961, he was Secretary of the Academy. Dr. Lourie was involved with plans to publish the Journal, to implement certification, and to awaken interest in regional child psychiatry groups, as well as the chronic preoccupation with membership requirements. When Dr. Lourie became President of the Academy in 1963, no other child psychiatrist had a more strategic position at the national level. While President he was appointed a member of the powerful National Advisory Mental Health Council, serving from 1964 to 1968. Dr. Lourie immediately moved the Academy away from internal issues toward major external ones: State Mental Retardation Planning, State Mental Health Planning, Career Training of Child Psychiatrists, and Planning Psychiatric Services for Children. All resulted in milestone reports.
Dr. Reginald Spencer Lourie, a founder of the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry and the sixth President (1963-1965), made a rich contribution to the Academy. Affectionally called "Reg" or "Reggie" by his colleagues and friends, he left his kindness, warmth, wit, and humor over the entire globe as he spoke for the care of vulnerable and mentally ill children. His smile was soft, gentle, sincere , and disarming, inviting closeness and trust. Yet he knew how to appraise the minds and qualities ofothers without offending them. Never ruffled when others made waves, he often spontaneously offered an appropriate witty or humorous anecdote, a parable, or an analogy when he wished to clarify a point or provide steadiness with reason to a delicate situation. Dr. Lourie was a skilled child psychiatrist and psychoanalyst, an inspiring teacher, an ever curious researcher, an effective administrator, and astute in ways political when it came to fund-raising and policymaking, Yet he was a shy, modest man, always the same whether with a child, parents, students, colleagues, dignitaries, or friends. Dr. Lourie died on March 20, 1988, at the age of 79 in Washington, D.C., his home for 40 years. He was born in Brooklyn, New York. He graduated from Cornell University with a bachelor's degree in science and from the Long Island College of Medicine in 1936. After completing a pediatric residenc y, he decided to get into child psychiatry. His basic adult training was at Bellevue and the New York Psychiatric Institute. He became a Merkle Research Fellow in child psychiatry at Bellevue and Babies Hospital from 1940 to 1943, earning a degree as a Doctor of Science. He was strongly influenced by two teachers, Dr. Lauretta Bender and Dr. William Langford; they were his models in the development of his professional career. During World War II, Dr. Lourie served in the Navy to the rank of Lt. Commander. Upon returning to civilian life, he became Professor of Experimental Psychiatry and Chief of the Pediatric-Psychiatric Clinic at Strong Memorial Hospital and the Rochester Guidance Clinic. In 1948, on the recommendation of Dr. Langford, Dr . Lourie was appointed the first Chief of Psychiatry, Children's Hospital National Medical Center, Washington, D.C. He was also appointed, at his request, Professor of Pediatrics and Associate Professor of Psychiatry at the George Washington University School of Medicine. This was to ensure the separate but collaborative relationship between child psychiatry and adult psychiatry, a collaboration that proved to be most successfu', Starting with nothing but his talent, he developed the Children's Hospital into one of the outstanding centers for ch ild psychiatry in the United States; it attracted national and international interest. Dr. Lourie held his position with distinction until his retirement as Emeritus in 1974. 146
IN MEMORIAM
At the same time, the National Institute of Mental Health initiated a study that led to Congressional funding of the Joint Commission on Mental Health of Children . Upon completion of his term of office as President of the Academy, Dr. Lourie became President and Chairman of the Commission (19651967). The report, "Crisis in Child Mental Health : Challenges for the 1970's," was submitted to Congress; it was a bold social plan encompassing all aspects of the child's life. Although Dr. Lourie never spoke of it, he was deeply disappointed that the President and Congress did not respond to this report at the time. Yet, today we see that Congress is considering legislation related to day care, child care, and Head Start out of urgency rather than from a well-planned integrated program as recommended in the Report. Following this experience, Dr. Lourie's interests turned to the vulnerable child, especially in the earliest years. He was a member of the National Founding and Planning Committee of Head Start (1965-1969) and of the Parent and Child Centers (1967-1970), the International Association of Child Psychiatry and Allied Professions (Treasurer, 1970-1974) and the International Study Group (1974 on), the Governing Committee of the Section of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry of the World Psychiatric Association (1972-1980), and the Inter-American Council of Psychiatric Associations (President , 1978-1979) . When he retired from Children's Hospital in 1974, Dr. Lourie became a Senior Research Scientist at the National Institute of Mental Health (1975-1985) in the Clinical Infant Development Program . On retiring from this position, he became Medical Director at the Regional Center for Infants and Young Children (1985-1988). He also was a Founder and Chairman of the National Center for Clinical Infant Programs (1977-1985), which is directed toward preventive intervention in infants in multirisk families. Through all these years, from 1959 until his death , Dr. Lourie also was on the faculty of Child Psychoanalysis of the Baltimore-D.C. Institute for Psychoanalysis.
147
Dr. Lourie was a prolific writer of more than 200 publications over the entire spectrum of child psychiatry and child psychoanalyses. He presented his ideas in clear, simple language and focused on forces that influence the child's development within the content of developmental theory from a biological base in relation to family dynamics and social structure. He also was coeditor of the Yearbook ofPsychiatry and Applied M ental Health and on the Editorial Board of the International Journal of Child Psychotherapy. Among the many honors and awards Dr. Lourie received are the Dickenson Medal for Distinguished Contributions to American Medicine, the Commander of the Order of the Phoenix (by the King of Greece), and the McGavin Award for Contributions to Prevention of Children's Disorders (by the American Psychiatric Association). Dr. Lourie's pleasures came from his home, his family, and his friends. He was a devoted husband , father, and grandfather, dearly loved by his family. His remarkable record of achievement and the magnificant contributions he made would not have been possible without the loving support of his wife, Lucille. He received great satisfaction from his three sons, Seth, Ira, and Benjamin, and he was especially pleased that Ira is a member of the Academy. As you saw him professionally, so was he at home. He never sought material gains; personal relationships were valued above all else. High standards came naturally to him with compassion , leniency, and understanding of the limitations of others. Never did he speak unkindl y of an yone nor show the slightest breach of good taste. Like everyone, he had his share of adversity, to which he responded with calm strength and dignity. We always will remember him as that man with the baggy clothes, pipe in hand , warm gentle face; his was a good life, an honest heart, and a generous contribution to all of us professionally and personally. Sidney Berman , M.D. Washington, D.C.
(1908-1988) Dr. Lourie introduced many innovative hospital procedures to provide a more normal environment for the ill child , staff, and students. He became a member of the Academy of Pediatrics and served on its editorial board for 5 years. He also was a member of the American Pediatric Society and was invited to present many scientific papers to pediatricians. His department staff reflected his personality. There was a warm collaborative relationship among social workers, psychologists, and child psychiatrists, with clearly defined complimentary roles, both in treatment and training. The Hospital's Department of Education established a strong pediatric psychiatry curriculum for the medical students. Many pediatric residents and a number of pediatricians were attracted to his residency program. His trainees became directors of other child psychiatric services or staff members locally and elsewhere. Dr. Lourie supported the development of two other training centers for child psychiatrists, Georgetown Hospital and Walter Reed Army Medical Center. He also created a welcome home for young child psychiatrists assigned to military service in Washington. Physicians from other parts of the world came for extended periods of time. Dr. Lourie's office always was open. Dr. Lourie was a superb teacher and lecturer. He made the child a most important person, someone who could and should be understood and cared for. Audiences always responded enthusiastically to his warmth, sincerity, and wisdom. He was on the faculty ofthree medical schools; Professor of Child Health and Human Development (Pediatrics) and Professor of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences of the George Washington University School of Medicine (1948-1974, Emeritus); Clinical Professor of Psychiatry, University of Maryland School of Medicine (1959-1962); Clinical Professor of Psychiatry, the Uniformed Services University of Health Sciences School of Medicine from 1977. He also was a lecturer at the Howard and Georgetown Medical Schools. In 1957, Dr. Lourie was President of the American Orthopsychiatric Association. Between 1959 and 1961, he was Secretary of the Academy. Dr. Lourie was involved with plans to publish the Journal, to implement certification, and to awaken interest in regional child psychiatry groups, as well as the chronic preoccupation with membership requirements. When Dr. Lourie became President of the Academy in 1963, no other child psychiatrist had a more strategic position at the national level. While President he was appointed a member of the powerful National Advisory Mental Health Council, serving from 1964 to 1968. Dr. Lourie immediately moved the Academy away from internal issues toward major external ones: State Mental Retardation Planning, State Mental Health Planning, Career Training of Child Psychiatrists, and Planning Psychiatric Services for Children. All resulted in milestone reports.
Dr. Reginald Spencer Lourie, a founder of the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry and the sixth President (1963-1965), made a rich contribution to the Academy. Affectionally called "Reg" or "Reggie" by his colleagues and friends, he left his kindness, warmth, wit, and humor over the entire globe as he spoke for the care of vulnerable and mentally ill children. His smile was soft, gentle, sincere , and disarming, inviting closeness and trust. Yet he knew how to appraise the minds and qualities ofothers without offending them. Never ruffled when others made waves, he often spontaneously offered an appropriate witty or humorous anecdote, a parable, or an analogy when he wished to clarify a point or provide steadiness with reason to a delicate situation. Dr. Lourie was a skilled child psychiatrist and psychoanalyst, an inspiring teacher, an ever curious researcher, an effective administrator, and astute in ways political when it came to fund-raising and policymaking, Yet he was a shy, modest man, always the same whether with a child, parents, students, colleagues, dignitaries, or friends. Dr. Lourie died on March 20, 1988, at the age of 79 in Washington, D.C., his home for 40 years. He was born in Brooklyn, New York. He graduated from Cornell University with a bachelor's degree in science and from the Long Island College of Medicine in 1936. After completing a pediatric residenc y, he decided to get into child psychiatry. His basic adult training was at Bellevue and the New York Psychiatric Institute. He became a Merkle Research Fellow in child psychiatry at Bellevue and Babies Hospital from 1940 to 1943, earning a degree as a Doctor of Science. He was strongly influenced by two teachers, Dr. Lauretta Bender and Dr. William Langford; they were his models in the development of his professional career. During World War II, Dr. Lourie served in the Navy to the rank of Lt. Commander. Upon returning to civilian life, he became Professor of Experimental Psychiatry and Chief of the Pediatric-Psychiatric Clinic at Strong Memorial Hospital and the Rochester Guidance Clinic. In 1948, on the recommendation of Dr. Langford, Dr . Lourie was appointed the first Chief of Psychiatry, Children's Hospital National Medical Center, Washington, D.C. He was also appointed, at his request, Professor of Pediatrics and Associate Professor of Psychiatry at the George Washington University School of Medicine. This was to ensure the separate but collaborative relationship between child psychiatry and adult psychiatry, a collaboration that proved to be most successfu', Starting with nothing but his talent, he developed the Children's Hospital into one of the outstanding centers for ch ild psychiatry in the United States; it attracted national and international interest. Dr. Lourie held his position with distinction until his retirement as Emeritus in 1974. 146
IN MEMORIAM
At the same time, the National Institute of Mental Health initiated a study that led to Congressional funding of the Joint Commission on Mental Health of Children . Upon completion of his term of office as President of the Academy, Dr. Lourie became President and Chairman of the Commission (19651967). The report, "Crisis in Child Mental Health : Challenges for the 1970's," was submitted to Congress; it was a bold social plan encompassing all aspects of the child's life. Although Dr. Lourie never spoke of it, he was deeply disappointed that the President and Congress did not respond to this report at the time. Yet, today we see that Congress is considering legislation related to day care, child care, and Head Start out of urgency rather than from a well-planned integrated program as recommended in the Report. Following this experience, Dr. Lourie's interests turned to the vulnerable child, especially in the earliest years. He was a member of the National Founding and Planning Committee of Head Start (1965-1969) and of the Parent and Child Centers (1967-1970), the International Association of Child Psychiatry and Allied Professions (Treasurer, 1970-1974) and the International Study Group (1974 on), the Governing Committee of the Section of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry of the World Psychiatric Association (1972-1980), and the Inter-American Council of Psychiatric Associations (President , 1978-1979) . When he retired from Children's Hospital in 1974, Dr. Lourie became a Senior Research Scientist at the National Institute of Mental Health (1975-1985) in the Clinical Infant Development Program . On retiring from this position, he became Medical Director at the Regional Center for Infants and Young Children (1985-1988). He also was a Founder and Chairman of the National Center for Clinical Infant Programs (1977-1985), which is directed toward preventive intervention in infants in multirisk families. Through all these years, from 1959 until his death , Dr. Lourie also was on the faculty of Child Psychoanalysis of the Baltimore-D.C. Institute for Psychoanalysis.
147
Dr. Lourie was a prolific writer of more than 200 publications over the entire spectrum of child psychiatry and child psychoanalyses. He presented his ideas in clear, simple language and focused on forces that influence the child's development within the content of developmental theory from a biological base in relation to family dynamics and social structure. He also was coeditor of the Yearbook ofPsychiatry and Applied M ental Health and on the Editorial Board of the International Journal of Child Psychotherapy. Among the many honors and awards Dr. Lourie received are the Dickenson Medal for Distinguished Contributions to American Medicine, the Commander of the Order of the Phoenix (by the King of Greece), and the McGavin Award for Contributions to Prevention of Children's Disorders (by the American Psychiatric Association). Dr. Lourie's pleasures came from his home, his family, and his friends. He was a devoted husband , father, and grandfather, dearly loved by his family. His remarkable record of achievement and the magnificant contributions he made would not have been possible without the loving support of his wife, Lucille. He received great satisfaction from his three sons, Seth, Ira, and Benjamin, and he was especially pleased that Ira is a member of the Academy. As you saw him professionally, so was he at home. He never sought material gains; personal relationships were valued above all else. High standards came naturally to him with compassion , leniency, and understanding of the limitations of others. Never did he speak unkindl y of an yone nor show the slightest breach of good taste. Like everyone, he had his share of adversity, to which he responded with calm strength and dignity. We always will remember him as that man with the baggy clothes, pipe in hand , warm gentle face; his was a good life, an honest heart, and a generous contribution to all of us professionally and personally. Sidney Berman , M.D. Washington, D.C.