In memoriam: Edward Habermann, not your average top doctor

April 24, 2009
by Molly Nolan

Editor’s note: Edward Habermann, a stalwart of the New Castle community passed away this week. As a tribute to him, we offer this personal essay written by Molly Nolan, a Greeley grad. Molly Nolan is a senior at the University of Vermont majoring in English. She grew up very closely with the Habermann family and has always been inspired by Dr. Habermann’s life. She wrote this article for a journalism seminar at American University in 2007, to honor his achievements.

Edward Habermann sits casually and comfortably in his leather swivel chair looking quite dapper for 73 years of age. On this sunny March day, the prominent doctor’s face wears over 40 years of medical experience with big, blue, concerned eyes trained to spot those in need of his help and an overall serene demeanor, a sign of his confidence and success. But Habermann has created far more than a successful medical career since his graduation from Upstate Medical Center in 1959 – he has created a life where prosperity goes far beyond work as a well established doctor, spilling over into family, coaching sports, and teaching, among many other things.

“Well, I always worked hard, and I think I’m a very good teacher,” says Habermann, taking a sip from his clear glass of Coca-Cola with ice. “I’ve never not seen a patient who needed my help and I’ll probably stay working until I die, at least in some capacity. I don’t really plan to retire.”   

Habermann has done more than most men of his age and profession over the last few decades.  He is a brilliant, well-known orthopaedic surgeon, listed under the Top Doctors in New York Magazine several times. A father of four and a devoted husband, Habermann is a teacher and former avid traveler, going all over the world to teach orthopaedic surgery.  He is also a varsity coach at the local high school in Chappaqua, New York, where he raised his family and still resides. 

Habermann grew up in Hillside, New Jersey with his parents and twin brother Norman during WWII, and attended John Hopkins University in Baltimore, Maryland before going to medical school at SUNY Upstate Medical Center. After medical school, Habermann went to the University of California in San Francisco to do an internship before going into the Navy as a medical officer which he did for several years, initially stationed on a ship. After the Navy, he completed his training as an orthopaedic surgeon in New York and did a fellowship in hip surgery in England. 

“In England, when I was on a fellowship with Sir John Charnley, who was the pioneer in total hip replacements in the 1960’s, I developed a keen interest in that and subsequently, a group of four of us designed one of the most frequently used hip and knee joint replacements that are now in over two million people throughout the world,” tells Habermann modestly.  “Through evolution, the design of the implants have changed and now they all look quite similar and quite like the one we designed back in the late 70’s and earlier 80’s with modifications being made over the years as we saw what might improve the design.”

Upon returning from England, Habermann began work in 1966 at the Albert Einstein College of Medicine and Montefiore Medical Center in the Bronx, New York, and remained there until 1999. While there, he became the Chairman of Orthopaedic Surgery at the medical school and the Surgeon in Chief for 25 years at Montefiore.

Aside from his regular doctor duties, Habermann served on many medical boards around the country, including the Orthopaedic Research and Education Foundation in Chicago where he was the vice chairman for a number of years.  On top of that, he traveled far and wide to teach what he loves.

“I’ve been to almost every part of the world teaching orthopaedic surgery,” says Habermann, reflecting on his past journeys. “South America, Asia, Europe, Africa – I’ve been pretty much all over the globe. I spent several wars in Israel – 1967, 1972, working to take care of the injured Israeli soldiers and then spent 10 or 15 years going every year and teaching at medical schools there.”

Though Habermann spent a chunk of time away from home, he was very involved in raising his children. He and his wife of 24 years, Susan, have three children together, Robert, 22, Lauren, 21 and Matthew, 19.  Habermann also has a 38 year old son, Josh, from his first marriage. His children share their father’s love for travel –Josh has lived outside the country, Robert is currently living in Africa, and Lauren is doing a semester in Australia.  Matthew, the youngest, goes to school across the country in Arizona. 

“I have strived to be like my dad because he is one of the most generous people I know,” says Habermann’s only daughter, Lauren.  “He is willing to help anyone –no questions asked –and he never expects anything in return. He just loves to help people.”

His love for helping others is perhaps why Habermann has a deeply rooted passion for teaching, something he would have done full time if he had not become a physician. Taking all opportunities throughout his life to teach, such as talking to his kids’ classes during their elementary school years as “Dr. Bones,” he seized the opportunity to be an assistant coach at a varsity level once his professional life began to slow down. 

“I sort of stopped working 110 hours a week and I started working at the high school as a varsity coach in lacrosse and soccer which I’ve done for the last 5 or 6 years –enjoying being around young people,” says Habermann, munching politely on a chocolate chip cookie.  “I just wanted to be a coach to do it and because I enjoyed athletics and teaching young people. It was like teaching residents and medical students only at a different level in a different venue.”

Of all the mementos and awards hung neatly around Habermann’s office, the one he is most proud of is a framed article about him being a coach, titled “Renowned Surgeon Finishes Season As Assistant Coach.”  Habermann reads it over joyfully, as if he has never seen it before.

“One of the important things here is that I think what I teach the best is leadership skills,” he begins. “And this was written by a very good coach and former college lacrosse player, and he says, ‘as far as fundamentals go, he teaches just as well as any seasoned coach I’ve seen, but I think the biggest thing he brings to the team is helping develop some of our kids into leaders.’ And I think that’s probably a very true statement and something I’ve always tried to do all my life in education,” continues Habermann.  “To make surgeons better, be good thinkers, how to be compassionate in taking care of their patients and doing it for the right reasons and I think that’s been a hallmark of my lifestyle.” 

Habermann’s outlook on himself is correct, according to kids he has coached in the past. Over the last few years, the high school boys have warmly embraced “Doc,” as they call him, as a hardworking, respected coach.

“Doc was a guy who coached with enthusiasm and encouragement that only comes from someone who truly loves being there,” says Alex Leonard, 20, a former soccer player on Habermann’s team.  “He showed up every day without anything invested in the team; no kids, no money. He just wanted to share what he knew and to see us players succeed and grow, and that’s something really special.”

Habermann’s lacrosse players feel the same way as Leonard and the other soccer boys. Athletes that graduated years ago still have a special place in their heart for him, verifying that Habermann profoundly affected many of the kids he coached. 

“He brought integrity and strength to a team of young men who were desperately in need of such traits,” says Terrence Higgins, 21, who played lacrosse with Habermann during his high school years and still continues to play at the Naval Academy in Annapolis, Maryland. “His wisdom of the game was expansive, yet was overshadowed by his even greater passion for the betterment of the character of the players. He taught us that the greatest aspect of sports is not the game, but rather, what you learn from the game; what has the game taught you to become a better person.”

Habermann recently finished coaching the fall 2006 soccer season, but will not be returning this spring to coach lacrosse due to some medical issues he is facing. He is, however, hoping to get back to it as soon as he can, showing his devotion and love for the team and the kids he coaches is as strong as their dedication to him.

“The kids he coaches love him,” says Habermann’s youngest son, Matthew.  “I just heard that all the seniors on the lacrosse team came over to our house to show support for him since he’s not coaching anymore. They came to the house and he told them he couldn’t return for medical reasons –and they wouldn’t have done that for anyone else. That shows how much he means to them, along with the community and the school.  He’s very involved with them, and with everything.”

Involved is what Habermann continues to be, despite any obstacles he is facing. He has served on the Park and Recreation Commission in his community for seven years and still continues to do so, along with being on the board of directors for the local television station. 

“I still work and practice,” says Habermann.  “I still teach and seek consultations.  I also work for the Accredited Council for Graduate Medical Education, which is the crediting body for residencies throughout the United States, and I review medical school programs four or five times a year which is something I enjoy.”

Habermann continues to see his patients in his office located at his home in Chappaqua, as well as an office he still has in the Bronx.  He will be treating and helping those in need for as long as he possibly can, a distinguishing outlook that separates Habermann from many other doctors today.

“The thing I admire most about Ed is the fact that he has such passion for what he has done with his life,” says Habermann’s wife, Susan.  “You know, he’s somebody who loves, loves, loves being a physician in every way he could. He just has a real passion for it. He loves medicine, and taking care of people, and the research side of it. There was just never anything that he didn’t love about it. And as passionate as he is about his profession, he’s as passionate about his family, his children, and his friends. It’s his life work—it’s something to strive for.” 
 
The Horace Greeley Scholarship Fund has set up a special scholarship in memory of Ed Habermann. To make a donation in his honor, visit the fund’s website, HGSF.org, and specify that you wish your contribution to go toward the Ed Habermann Scholarship.  You may also write HGSF at P.O. Box 242, Chappaqua, N.Y. 10514, or contact David Passman at 914-393-0450.