Gerald H. Flamm M.D.

1920 - 2010

FLAMM, GERALD H., M.D.
Our loved one, Gerald H. Flamm, M.D., formerly of Woodbridge, and most currently of 400 Blake St., New Haven, entered into eternal rest on Oct. 5, 2010. Gerry, devoted and beloved husband of the late Ruth S. Flamm, died at CT Hospice, Branford. "Dad" is also the much loved and cherished father of Attorney Brett C. Flamm and Sheila F. Taylor-Flamm, of New Haven. Son of the late Maxwell M. and Sadie Flamm, Gerry was born in Brooklyn, NY on March 15, 1920 and spent the majority of his younger and adult years living in New York until moving to CT in 1971 with Ruth. In addition to his two beautiful infant daughters, Marjorie Heather and Vickie Sue Flamm, he is predeceased by his two younger brothers, Arthur and Robert. A man of extraordinary dedication to his family, friends, patients and profession, Gerry was exceptionally accomplished. He graduated from the Long Island College of Medicine at the age of 23, did his rotating internship at Jewish Hospital in Brooklyn, after which he did his residency in Pathology and Medicine at Cincinnati General Hospital. He practiced internal medicine through 1956 and did his psychiatric residency at Kings County Hospital, in Brooklyn and his psychiatric fellowship at Bronx Municipal Hospital and Albert Einstein College of Medicine. At BMHC he eventually served as clinical Director of Psychiatry and, along with many other titles, served as acting Director of Psychiatry at Jacobi Hospital, 1966 - 1969. He loved teaching medicine and psychiatry and did so at Downstate Medical Center, Kings County Hospital, Albert Einstein College of Medicine and as Clinical Professor of Psychiatry at Yale University School of Medicine. His former residents often raved about the energizing and enlightening experience of doing rounds with him. In 1971 Gerry was selected to be the first chairman of the Department of Psychiatry at the Hospital of St. Raphael, New Haven, where he also served as Psychiatric Director of the Pastoral Care Center until his retirement from the hospital in 1986, while also serving on the Quality Performance Committee until well past his retirement, after which he went into private practice. He exerted the same dedication, energy and advocacy in behalf of his patients as he did to the other important aspects of his rich life. Gerry's organizational activities are legion and legend. He founded and led the American Association of General Hospital Psychiatrists, served as member, officer and chair of numerous CT and national medical and psychiatric boards, commissions and organizations, including the American Psychiatric Association, where he served as Speaker of the Assembly and was active on various committees to revise insurance review procedures and improve education and training of younger doctors. He worked tirelessly to achieve his lifelong goals of eliminating the stigma of mental illness, improving access to mental health care and achieving insurance coverage parity with that of other medical conditions. He was a frequent speaker and lecturer at many medical and non-medical organizations and was a regular on radio and TV programs, always trying to teach as many people as possible about mental illness. Gerry authored and co-authored many articles about medicine and psychiatry and the connection between physical and mental illness. Gerry was also a regular at concerts, dance recitals, the theater and restaurants. He was an avid fisherman, traveler and even read in his "spare time". "Uncle Gerry" leave a host of loving nieces, nephews and cousins.
Our family is deeply indebted to his caregiver/first assistant, Lorna Brown, who was so crucial to his continuing to be active and happy. Our appreciation also is extended to his extraordinarily devoted an responsive doctors - Stephen D. Brenner, Samuel Bridgers, Phillip Fazzone, Brett Gerstenhaber, Johanna M. Lasala, Mary Grey Maher, Aron Rose, Kevin Twohig, and Kalman Watsky. The family extends gratitude to family friends Rosemary Hurzeler and Leona Leven.
On Thursday, the family will receive visitors between the hours of 3:00 and 4:00 p.m., at the Robert E. Shure Funeral Home, 543 George Street, New Haven. Rabbi Benjamin Scolnic will conduct a service at 4:00 p.m. A graveside service will be held on Friday, Oct. 8th, 2010 at 11:00 at New Montefiore Cemetery, West Babylon, Long Island, New York. Shiva will be held onSaturday from 6:30 p.m. through 9:00 p.m. and on Sunday from 3:00 p.m. through 9:00 p.m. at 177 Stepstone Hill Rd., Guilford, CT. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be sent to the Hospital of St. Raphael, c/o Marshall Mandelkern, M.D., Chairman Department of Psychiatry, 1450 Chapel Street, New Haven, CT 06510, Connecticut Hospice, 100 Double Beach Road, Branford, CT 06405 or Smilow Cancer Center, Department of Complimentary Services, Development Office, 2 Howe St., #326, New Haven, CT 06510.
www.shurefuneralhome.com