Harvey Picker
Encyclopedia
Harvey Picker was an American businessman, educator, inventor, and philanthropist
. He was the founder, along with his wife, Jean, of the Boston-based Picker Institute, whose goal is to promote patient-centered healthcare.
Picker's father, James, founded Picker X-ray acquired by General Electric Co. Ltd. of England in 1981, which produced air-dropped X-ray labs for the Army in World War II and the Korean War. The younger Harvey led the company into such pioneering fields as cobalt treatment for cancer and ultrasound and nuclear imaging diagnostics. He remained with the company from 1946-1968.
At age 50, Picker sold the family business and earned his doctorate. He worked briefly in the diplomatic service, taught political science at Colgate University
, then, between 1972-1983, served as dean of Columbia University
's School of International and Public Affairs.
Dr. and Mrs. Picker believed that the American health care system was technologically and scientifically outstanding, but overall was not sensitive to patients' concerns and their comfort. Thus, in 1986, they founded the Picker Institute - a not-for-profit organization dedicated to developing a patient-centered approach to healthcare - and in 2000 founded the Picker Institute Europe.
Jean Picker, who died in 1990, served as a U.S. delegate to the United Nations and was a journalist for Life Magazine.
Philanthropist
A philanthropist is someone who engages in philanthropy; that is, someone who donates his or her time, money, and/or reputation to charitable causes...
. He was the founder, along with his wife, Jean, of the Boston-based Picker Institute, whose goal is to promote patient-centered healthcare.
Picker's father, James, founded Picker X-ray acquired by General Electric Co. Ltd. of England in 1981, which produced air-dropped X-ray labs for the Army in World War II and the Korean War. The younger Harvey led the company into such pioneering fields as cobalt treatment for cancer and ultrasound and nuclear imaging diagnostics. He remained with the company from 1946-1968.
At age 50, Picker sold the family business and earned his doctorate. He worked briefly in the diplomatic service, taught political science at Colgate University
Colgate University
Colgate University is a private liberal arts college in Hamilton, New York, USA. The school was founded in 1819 as a Baptist seminary and later became non-denominational. It is named for the Colgate family who greatly contributed to the university's endowment in the 19th century.Colgate has 52...
, then, between 1972-1983, served as dean of Columbia University
Columbia University
Columbia University in the City of New York is a private, Ivy League university in Manhattan, New York City. Columbia is the oldest institution of higher learning in the state of New York, the fifth oldest in the United States, and one of the country's nine Colonial Colleges founded before the...
's School of International and Public Affairs.
Dr. and Mrs. Picker believed that the American health care system was technologically and scientifically outstanding, but overall was not sensitive to patients' concerns and their comfort. Thus, in 1986, they founded the Picker Institute - a not-for-profit organization dedicated to developing a patient-centered approach to healthcare - and in 2000 founded the Picker Institute Europe.
Jean Picker, who died in 1990, served as a U.S. delegate to the United Nations and was a journalist for Life Magazine.