Judianne Densen-Gerber

Judianne Densen-Gerber (November 13, 1934 Manhattan, New York - May 11, 2003, Manhattan) was a psychiatrist, lawyer, and educator who “dedicated her professional life to fighting substance abuse, child abuse, battery of women and pornography.”^[1]

Biography

Born to parents Gustave Gerber, a chemical engineer and Beatrice Densen, an heiress, she graduated from Bryn Mawr College in 1956, Columbia Law School (JD (1959), and New York University (MD 1963). She died in her sleep from cancer.^[1] Until 1997, she was married to pathologist Michael Baden. At the time of her death, she was a resident of Westport, Connecticut.^[2]

Career

Considered a pioneer in the area of the Therapeutic community, she founded Odyssey House while working as a resident psychiatrist at Metropolitan Hospital.^[3] Despite her success in getting government funding, in 1983 she resigned her position as executive director after a state investigation found financial irregularities.^[2]

Publications

• Odyssey House: A Structural Model for the Successful Employment and Re-Entry of the Ex-Drug Abuser Volume: 4 issue: 4, page(s): 414-427, Issue published: October 1, 1974 Judianne Densen-Gerber, J. D., M. D., David Drassner, M.S., Ed.M. https://doi.org/10.1177/002204267400400413
• Drugs, sex, parents, and you

References

1. "Judianne Densen-Gerber". Connecticut Post. May 13, 2003. Retrieved 25 May 2021.
2. Martin, Douglas (May 14, 2003). "Dr. Judianne Densen-Gerber Is Dead at 68; Founded Odyssey House Group Drug Program". The New York Times. Retrieved May 25, 2021.
3. "History of Odyssey". Odyssey House Trust Christchurch. Retrieved May 25, 2021.