Henry Howard Kessler, M.D., Ph.D. (1896-1978) - Papers

Henry Howard Kessler was born April 10, 1896 in Newark, New Jersey to Simon and Bertha Portugese Kessler. He graduated from Cornell University in 1916, and received his medical degree from Cornell University Medical School in 1919. Kessler's education continued at Columbia University, where he received his Master of Arts degree in 1932, and a Ph. D. in Social Legislation in 1934. Greatly influenced by Dr. Fred H. Albee, a World War I orthopedic surgeon, Kessler became a well-recognized orthopedic surgeon, medical administrator, and a major force in international rehabilitation activities. Kessler introduced and developed the surgical technique of cineplasty for the muscular control of an artificial arm and the pneumatic-operated arm prosthesis. He married Jessica Winnick, and had three children: Sanford, Jerome, and Joan. He married a second time to Estelle, who had two daughters of her own. Henry Kessler died on January 18, 1978, at the age of 81.

Kessler's naval career began in 1933; he was a U.S. Navy captain from 1941 to 1945. During his military service, Kessler worked as the head of the orthopedic department at the C.U.B. 13 unit, and the chief of orthopedics at both the Base Hospital No. 2 in New Hebrides and the Mare Island Naval Hospital (CA.). Professionally, Kessler assisted the medical director of the New Jersey Rehabilitation Commission from 1921 to 1941, and as the director from 1925 to 1941. He founded The Kessler Institute for Rehabilitation in West Orange, New Jersey in 1949, and worked as its Medical Director until his death. Kessler considered the establishment of the Institute to be his greatest achievement. During his lifetime, Kessler was a consultant at Newark Beth Israel and Newark City Hospitals, and to the Federal Office of Vocational Rehabilitation to the Veterans Administration. In addition, Kessler directed the Rehabilitation Unit at Christ Hospital in Jersey City, and worked as a Clinical Professor of Rehabilitation at the New York Medical College.

Kessler engaged in many international activities. For example, as a U.S. Delegate to International Congresses of Industrial Accidents and Diseases, Kessler traveled to Budapest (1928), Geneva (1931),Brussels (1935), and Frankfort (1938). As a United Nations Consultant, he visited Yugoslavia (1954),Indonesia (1954), the Philippines (1956), and India (1956). During his lifetime, Henry Kessler received honorary degrees from Rutgers and Seton Hall Universities. He was also awarded numerous citations including the first President's (Truman) Award of the Committee on Employment of the Physically Handicapped in 1952 and the Albert Lasker Award in 1954.

His major publications include: Accidental Injuries (1931), Cineplasty (1947), Rehabilitation of the Physically Handicapped (1947), The Principles and Practices of Rehabilitation (1950), Low Back Pain in Industry (1955), Peter Stuyvesant and His New York (1959), The Knife is Not Enough (1968).

In 1949, Henry H. Kessler founded the Kessler Institute for Rehabilitation in West Orange. The Institute was a non-sectarian, non-profit organization for the rehabilitation of disabled adults and children. The programs five main goals were: physical restoration services for the severely disabled, education of professional and paramedical staff, community education, continuation of the United Nations International Program, and research. It was the first institute to provide an intensive and comprehensive program of medical, social, psychological, and vocational services for those suffering physical impairment from a congenital condition, accident or disease.

In 1958, the grounds were completely landscaped with a wildflower grove and bird sanctuary--an idyllic spot for physical rehabilitation. The Institute became affiliated with United Hospitals of Newark in April 1959. The building was expanded in 1960 to provide 48 additional beds, and a swimming pool for hydro-therapeutic use. Later, the 1974 expansion created 28 more beds (for a total of 76), a new children's unit, and separate outpatient department.

Kessler Rehabilitation Centers have been established in Yugoslavia, India, Greece, Indonesia, and Japan.