Susan Adler
Susan Adler is the daughter of Dr. John and Claire Adler whom created this scholarship in memory of her parents.
Impact
Dr. John and Claire Adler were raised in Berlin, Germany, where he graduated from Friedrich Wilhelm University Medical School in 1934 and served an internship at the University’s Charite Hospital. Fleeing persecution as the Nazis rose to power, they arrived in the United States in the late 1930’s and became naturalized citizens. Dr. Adler completed a two-year residency at Fairview Park Hospital and St. Rita’s Hospital in Ohio, and passed the National and New York State Boards. Several years after opening a medical practice in Theresa, NY, Dr. Adler volunteered for the Army Medical Corps in 1943, and served overseas with the 164th General Hospital as a battalion surgeon with the First and Seventh Armies in France, Belgium, and Germany. Extending his distinguished active service, he was assigned as chief o the outpatient department at Pine Camp (Fort Drum) station hospital, reaching the rank of captain. During his time overseas, Mrs. Adler was a supervisor in the U.S. government office in New York City that notified families of the deaths of their members in the war.
Following discharge, Dr. Adler opened his family medical practice at 172 Clinton Street, Watertown, NY, with Mrs. Adler managing his office for many years. He was past president of the Jefferson County Medical Society and Mercy Hospital medical staff, was on the staff of the House of the Good Samaritan, Samaritan Keep Home, and several other medical facilities. Dr. Adler was made a Diplomat of the American Board of Family Physicians, among the first group of doctors to be named to the Board when the new specialty branch was formed in 1972. Mrs. Adler was a member of the House of the Good Samaritan Auxiliary and was past president of the Women’s Auxiliary to the Jefferson County Medical Society, which raised funds for an annual nursing scholarship.
Both were vital members of various community organizations and supported secondary education, especially in medical fields. Mrs. Adler enjoyed attending a course at Jefferson Community College and was proud to have a college in town. Dr. Adler died in 1982 and Mrs. Adler died in 1975 after long careers contributing their skills and leadership to Watertown and their adopted country.
The Jefferson Community College Foundation is grateful to Dr. and Mrs. Adler’s daughter, Susan Adler, for her thoughtfulness and generosity in establishing this scholarship.