General Content
Samuel J. Stabins was born in Watertown, New York on March 14, 1901 and received his MD from Emory University in 1925. Following graduation he did postgraduate work at the Mayo Clinic in surgical pathology and interned at New Haven Hospital. From 1926 to 1929 he spent his Residency at Strong Memorial Hospital, in Rochester New York.
During World War II Dr. Stabins served in the U. S. Navy rising to the rank of Commander, he served with the Naval Surgical Unit at Annapolis, which he organized.
In 1945 he returned to Rochester and was appointed Surgeon-in-Chief of the Genesee Hospital a position he held until 1955. He reorganized the Surgical Service in 1947. In 1964 he was elected to the Genesee Hospital Board of Governors on which he served until his retirement in 1971.
During his medical career he contributed greatly to the community’s well-being. In 1939 he was one of the founders of the Society of University Surgeons. Among his other contributions was the first Well Woman Clinic in Rochester at the Baden Street Settlement. He served on many community boards including the American Red Cross, Baden Street Settlement, United Cancer Council, the Gannett Foundation, The American College of Surgeons and the University of Rochester Board of Trustees.
In recognition of his efforts at The Genesee Hospital the Stabins Health Science Library was dedicated in his honor. Several other facilities have been dedicated in his honor including the Stabins Pheresis Blood Center at the Monroe County Chapter of the The Stabins Health and Wellness Library at Rochester General Hospital. His peers recognized his contributions with the Rochester Academy of Medicine Albert D. Kaiser Medal the in 1964.
Dr. Stabins greatest contribution to the community was as founder and Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the Monroe Community College. “In the early 1960s, community leaders became concerned about the education of nurses in the Rochester area.” Dr. Stabins led the movement to establish a community college to provide technical and para-professional education for students entering the healthcare work force.
Paul W. Hanson, retired President of The Genesee Hospital said:
Sam touched the lives of everyone in this community and the benefits of his work will be felt for many years to come.
Samuel J. Stabins, MD, died January 27, 1989.
-Philip G. Maples