By: Samantha Riley, Bicentennial Intern, Class of 2020, French and Anthropology, IUPUI
Edited by: Bre Anne Briskey, Bicentennial Graduate Assistant
“I don’t think that sympathy is very therapeutic”-Clare Assue[1]
Clare Assue held multiple roles at the IU School of Medicine and Larue Carter Hospital. Working as a professor, advisor, clinician, and coordinator for these two organizations, she influenced numerous people around her.
Those who worked with her remembered Assue as a figure who led from behind the scenes and who was crucial to the growth and evolution of the School of Medicine’s department of psychiatry, as well as Larue Carter Hospital.
Early Life and Education
On December 27, 1922, in New York City, Clare Assue was born to Charles and Ada Assue.[2] She attended and graduated from Hunter College in 1949.[3] Afterwards, Assue moved to Washington D.C. where she earned her medical degree from Howard University College of Medicine in 1954.[4]
While she completed her first year of residency at Indiana University School of Medicine, Assue moved back to Washington D.C. to finish the rest of her residency at St. Elizabeth’s Hospital.[5]
Career
After completing her residency, Assue returned to Indiana in 1958 and settled in Indianapolis, where she remained for the rest of her career. She worked simultaneously as an instructor in the department of psychiatry at the Indiana University School of Medicine and as a psychiatrist at Larue Carter Hospital.[6]
Due to her dedication and hard work, Assue rose through the ranks in the university and the hospital. She eventually became a full professor of psychiatry and the director of medical education at the Indiana University School of Medicine, in 1972 and 1977 respectively.[7]
At Larue Carter Hospital, Assue was promoted to medical director and superintendent in 1982. This promotion resulted in Assue becoming the first African American psychiatrist to run a hospital of this size in the United States. As superintendent, she directed the hospital through financial difficulties while maintaining a standard of care for patients.[8]
Assue’s peers praised her work at Larue Carter Hospital and viewed her as “a leader in making practical clinical application of the more recent theories regarding psychiatric care.”[9]
Because Assue worked in both institutions and engrossed herself in many different projects, she aided in bridging the gap between both institutions.
In 1961, Assue joined the residency training program in order to instruct and advise psychiatric residents. When the director position of the training program became vacant in 1979, Assue was “clearly the person” to take over the program.[10]
However, the program was not without its issues, primarily the difficulty it had in attracting medical school students to psychiatry and questions regarding program funding between the university and hospital.[11]
Under her direction, the residency program became an open and accepting environment to all students, attracting students with diverse backgrounds to the program. During a period of uncertainty, Assue consolidated and organized the program, all while advising residents and students, teaching courses, and treating patients.[12]
Contributions
In addition to her work as a professor and clinician, Assue gave back to her community. She gave talks that educated the public about people with mental disorders. For instance, she presented to the Indianapolis Association of Personnel Women that people with mental disorders should receive the same considerations as other employees while working.[13]
Assure served her community by being in the Board of Directors for St. Richard’s Schools and for the Community Service Council. She also served as a member of the Juvenile Justice Commission and as an examiner for the American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology. Because of her dedication to public service, Indiana governor Robert Orr awarded Assue the Sagamore of the Wabash Award in 1987, the state’s highest honor.[14]
Assue’s Legacy
As a professor and clinician, Assue accumulated numerous accomplishments. While other people would revel in their accomplishments, Assue remained modest. Her colleagues recognized her as a sensible, rational, and stable person, though they acknowledged that she was “always reluctant to be placed in the limelight.”[15]
Assue maintained her dedication to her work, even after she became ill. She continued a full work schedule as professor at the School of Medicine and as the superintendent of Larue Carter Hospital until she had to retire in 1989 due to illness.[16]
Assue passed away on August 28, 1990, but left behind a legacy of over 30 years of service to the psychiatric and wider community of Indianapolis.[17] Following her death, the Clare M. Assue Fund of the Association for the Advancement of Mental Health, Research and Education wasestablished, continuing her dedication and legacy to teaching and mental health.[18]
Bibliography
- Assue, Clare. (1980, July 29). Curriculum vitae. (Clare Assue personnel clippings file). Ruth Lilly Special Collections and Archives, Indianapolis, Indiana
- Bowman, Elizabeth S., and Philip M. Coons. Psychiatry in Indiana: The first 175 years. iUniverse, 2010
- “Ex-hospital official Clare Assue dies.” The Indianapolis News, 30 August 1990, p. 43.
- Hendrie, personal communication, June 19, 2018
- Jareczek, Bob. “Mentally Ill on Job ‘Need No Favors.’” The Indianapolis News, 11 November 1970, pg. 63.
- Sharpley, P & Morton, P & Fisher, W. (1990). Memorial resolution on behalf of Clare Assue, M.D. (Clare Assue personnel clippings file). Ruth Lilly Special Collections and Archives, Indianapolis, Indiana.
Notes
[1] Bob Jareczek, “Mentally Ill on Job ‘Need No Favors,’” The Indianapolis News, 11 November 1970, pg. 63.
[2] “Clare Assue Death Certificate,” Indiana Archives and Records Administration; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Death Certificates; Year: 1990; Roll: 14.
[3] “Clare Assue,” in Elizabeth Bowman and Philip M. Coons, Psychiatry in Indiana: The first 175 years, (iUniverse, 2010).
[4] Assue, Clare. (1980, July 29). Curriculum vitae. (Clare Assue personnel clippings file). Ruth Lilly Special Collections and Archives, Indianapolis, Indiana.
[5] “Clare Assue,” in Elizabeth Bowman and Philip M. Coons, Psychiatry in Indiana: The first 175 years, (iUniverse, 2010).
[6] Ibid.
[7] Ibid.
[8] Ibid.
[9] Sharpley, P & Morton, P & Fisher, W. (1990). Memorial resolution on behalf of Clare Assue, M.D. (Clare Assue personnel clippings file). Ruth Lilly Special Collections and Archives, Indianapolis, Indiana.
[10] H. Hendrie, personal communication, June 19, 2018
[11] Ibid.
[12] Hendrie, 2018
[13] Bob Jareczek, “Mentally Ill on Job ‘Need No Favors,’” The Indianapolis News, 11 November 1970, pg. 63.
[14] “Clare Assue,” in Elizabeth Bowman and Philip M. Coons, Psychiatry in Indiana: The first 175 years, (iUniverse, 2010).
[15] Ibid.
[16] Ex-hospital official Clare Assue dies. (1990, August 30). The Indianapolis News, p. 43.
[17] “Clare Assue Death Certificate,” Indiana Archives and Records Administration; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Death Certificates; Year: 1990; Roll: 14.
[18] “Ex-hospital official Clare Assue dies,” The Indianapolis News, 30 August 1990, pg. 43.