Obituary for Elise H Korman (Korman)
Elise H Korman MD, 85, Moorestown NJ, formerly of Southampton NY. Dr Korman passed away on August 17th 2021 from the complications of a long and productive life.
Born on August 3rd 1936 to Henriette and Erich Korman in Hoboken NJ, where she was welcomed home by her older brother Erich.
She originally thought she wanted to be a kindergarten teacher, but during her sophomore year at Gettysburg College, she decided to be a medical doctor. She was strongly supported by her professors and was admitted to Temple University Medical School graduating in 1961. Internship and residency at Doctors Hospital in Seattle Washington followed.
In 1965, she joined the practice of Emma L Bellows MD as a full partner. Their practice encompassed everything a patient could need from cradle to grave. She truly enjoyed helping people and making house calls. 1965 also saw the birth of her daughter Elise.
She was fortunate to practice in a wonderful community that welcomed a young woman doctor. Dr. Korman broke barriers in what was a traditionally male dominated profession. The New York Times once quoted her as saying, “I don’t believe in discrimination on any basis,” and she practiced that philosophy tirelessly. She was beloved by her patients who often would leave a fish as a token of appreciation.
She was a Charter Fellow of the American Academy of Family Physicians in 1973. She was the President of the Suffolk County Chapter of the AAFP from 1981-1983 and the New York State President from 1989-1990 and was on numerous AAFP national committees as well as serving in governance with the Medical Society of the State of New York. She was Deputy Medical Examiner for Suffolk County for 21 years.
In 1975, she was appointed to the Southampton Village Zoning Board of Appeals where she gained a reputation for being tough but fair and often humorous. She was known as “Dr No” by some but most knew her as “Dr Know.” She always had the best interest of the Village at heart.
Baking was another passion, and would occasionally pause office hours to take something out of the oven. She also was a masterful seamstress and her daughter recalls falling asleep to the hum of the sewing machine. Her daughter also recalled how much her mother enjoyed Wednesdays, her day off, when she would spend the day, after making rounds, relaxing at the beach.
When Dr Korman finally retired from medicine in 2000, she moved to Moorestown to be close to her daughter, son in law Lee and grandson Ethan. She delighted in her time with them and was proud to see Ethan grow up and graduate from college. She also found a new purpose within the community of St Matthew Lutheran Church where she served on Social Ministries and ran the blood drive. She also was the President of the Auxiliary at Lutheran Crossing. She made the very best of friends and was able to travel the world with them.
She died peacefully at Samaritan Hospice in Mount Holly surrounded by love.
She was preceded by her brother Erich in 2019 and son in law Leland Cook in 2014. She is survived by her daughter Elise Cook, grandson Ethan Cook, her daughter’s best friend Trisha Patterson (who considered Dr. Korman a 2nd mother), niece Claudia Korman, nephew Anders Korman, sister-in-law Adrianne Korman and all of her beloved patients and friends.
Donations in Dr. Korman’s memory can be made to St Matthew Lutheran Church 318 Chester Ave Moorestown NJ 08057
Thursday September 2nd, 2021
12 Noon
St Matthew Lutheran Church
319 Chester Ave
Moorestown NJ 08057
Born on August 3rd 1936 to Henriette and Erich Korman in Hoboken NJ, where she was welcomed home by her older brother Erich.
She originally thought she wanted to be a kindergarten teacher, but during her sophomore year at Gettysburg College, she decided to be a medical doctor. She was strongly supported by her professors and was admitted to Temple University Medical School graduating in 1961. Internship and residency at Doctors Hospital in Seattle Washington followed.
In 1965, she joined the practice of Emma L Bellows MD as a full partner. Their practice encompassed everything a patient could need from cradle to grave. She truly enjoyed helping people and making house calls. 1965 also saw the birth of her daughter Elise.
She was fortunate to practice in a wonderful community that welcomed a young woman doctor. Dr. Korman broke barriers in what was a traditionally male dominated profession. The New York Times once quoted her as saying, “I don’t believe in discrimination on any basis,” and she practiced that philosophy tirelessly. She was beloved by her patients who often would leave a fish as a token of appreciation.
She was a Charter Fellow of the American Academy of Family Physicians in 1973. She was the President of the Suffolk County Chapter of the AAFP from 1981-1983 and the New York State President from 1989-1990 and was on numerous AAFP national committees as well as serving in governance with the Medical Society of the State of New York. She was Deputy Medical Examiner for Suffolk County for 21 years.
In 1975, she was appointed to the Southampton Village Zoning Board of Appeals where she gained a reputation for being tough but fair and often humorous. She was known as “Dr No” by some but most knew her as “Dr Know.” She always had the best interest of the Village at heart.
Baking was another passion, and would occasionally pause office hours to take something out of the oven. She also was a masterful seamstress and her daughter recalls falling asleep to the hum of the sewing machine. Her daughter also recalled how much her mother enjoyed Wednesdays, her day off, when she would spend the day, after making rounds, relaxing at the beach.
When Dr Korman finally retired from medicine in 2000, she moved to Moorestown to be close to her daughter, son in law Lee and grandson Ethan. She delighted in her time with them and was proud to see Ethan grow up and graduate from college. She also found a new purpose within the community of St Matthew Lutheran Church where she served on Social Ministries and ran the blood drive. She also was the President of the Auxiliary at Lutheran Crossing. She made the very best of friends and was able to travel the world with them.
She died peacefully at Samaritan Hospice in Mount Holly surrounded by love.
She was preceded by her brother Erich in 2019 and son in law Leland Cook in 2014. She is survived by her daughter Elise Cook, grandson Ethan Cook, her daughter’s best friend Trisha Patterson (who considered Dr. Korman a 2nd mother), niece Claudia Korman, nephew Anders Korman, sister-in-law Adrianne Korman and all of her beloved patients and friends.
Donations in Dr. Korman’s memory can be made to St Matthew Lutheran Church 318 Chester Ave Moorestown NJ 08057
Thursday September 2nd, 2021
12 Noon
St Matthew Lutheran Church
319 Chester Ave
Moorestown NJ 08057