Helen R. Beiser, MD (1915-2018)

Abstract

Dr. Helen R. Beiser died in the presence of her loving family in March 2018 at 103 years young, but her legacy lives on. Her impact on the field of child and adolescent psychiatry is deep. She was a prolific teacher, author, and clinician who left us lessons to use today. In her plenary address as AACAP President in 1983, she spoke about “curiosity as a powerful motivating force in human behavior and creativity, as well as a lot of fun.”1Beiser H.R. On curiosity: a developmental approach.J Am Acad Child Adolesc Psychiatry. 1984; 23: 517-526Google Scholar Her life and legacy is a reflection of this curiosity. Born in Chicago, Dr. Beiser’s parents, brother, sister, and several nieces and nephews preceded her in death. She received her medical degree in 1941 from the University of Illinois after earning a degree in Biosystems Engineering at the University of Arizona in 1935. Dr. Beiser’s achievements include serving as Chairperson of the Child Analysis Committee of the Chicago Institute for Psychoanalysis; Clinical Associate Professor, Abraham Lincoln School of Medicine, University of Illinois; Senior Consultant, Institute for Juvenile Research, Chicago; and Consultant at the Barr-Harris Clinic on Parent Loss, Institute for Psychoanalysis, Chicago. Dr. Beiser was a valued teacher of child psychiatry and child analysis at the Illinois Psychoanalytic Institute, the University of Illinois, and the Institute for Juvenile Research. One of her trainees said that supervision with her was like being with Yoda, with her simple but insightful comments. To honor Dr. Beiser as a dedicated teacher, the Illinois Regional Organization of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry gives the Helen Beiser Resident Membership Award to cover AACAP membership dues. She published 24 scholarly articles in JAACAP alone, as well as 17 other articles spread across other journals. Interestingly, she wrote several papers on the difficulty of teaching child theory to students who are not interested in children, expressing her concern that not all clinicians care deeply about child development.2Beiser H.R. Can the psychology of childhood be taught to students of psychoanalysis? Problems and prospects.J Am Psychoanal Assoc. 1973; 21: 727-744Google Scholar She considered it a privilege to work with children. She recognized that every child seen clinically should have a physical examination and a neurological examination when appropriate. Dr. Beiser pioneered the AACAP’s representation in the AMA House of Delegates in 1986, where AACAP is currently represented by two delegates. But her academic and clinical achievements do not define who Helen Beiser was. She was humble and kind, always ready with a belly laugh. As a child, Helen was told that her mother would die young (she didn’t) so, she had better be independent… so Helen was. She gave selflessly in support of many causes devoted to the well-being of children. She would call any colleague who could give her a ride to a local meeting and then in return, the driver would receive a lesson on the way there! She was an Elder at the Fourth Presbyterian Church, Chicago, 1972 to 1989. She lived independently into her 90s, organizing activities within her retirement community. Dr. Beiser was passionate about toys, believing that a toy was not just a toy, but the tool of a child psychiatrist. She wrote that toys should be consistent, unbroken, and used in observing play to know the inner life of the child.3Beiser H.R. Formal games in diagnosis and therapy.J Am Acad Child Adolesc Psychiatry. 1979; 18: 480-491Google Scholar, 4Beiser H.R. Therapeutic play techniques; symposium, 1954. 8. Play equipment for diagnosis and therapy.Am J Orthopsychiatry. 1955; 25: 761-770Google Scholar Helen also understood play as a painter and a travel writer. Her love of travel led her on global adventures, many of which she painted and wrote about. She published some of her writing in a book, Travel Is in My Genes.5Beiser H.R. Travel Is in My Genes. Vantage Press, New York1998Google Scholar While listening to lectures at the Illinois Psychoanalytic Society, Dr. Beiser would sketch portraits of members and give them away. The yearly art show at AACAP’s Annual Meeting is named in her honor. She was a lifelong fan of the Chicago Cubs and passed away with the knowledge that they finally won the World Series in 2016. May we emulate Dr. Beiser’s teaching: to champion children, to always be curious, and to laugh often.