For Immediate Release

Contact: John M. Martino
Phone Number:  (215) 895-1186
Date: 01/27/00

University Of The Sciences In Philadelphia Names Physical Therapy Building

University of the Sciences in Philadelphia has recently named its Physical Therapy building in honor of Abraham Glasser, ’43, a successful business leader and member of USP’s Board of Trustees. Glasser Hall, located at 4512 Woodland Avenue, houses physical therapy classrooms, laboratories, research facilities and faculty and staff offices. Glasser and his wife, Gloria, live in Boca Raton, Fla., and reside in Greensburg, Pa., during the summer.

In 1951, the Glassers founded Stuart’s Drug and Surgical Supply. They later added divisions for laboratory supplies, anesthesia supplies and surgical implant products to the thriving prescription drug and surgical supply company. In the late 1950s, they created a patient profile for the United Mine Workers that permitted monitoring of patients via a computerized program. The profile was one of the first such programs devised in the healthcare industry. In the late 1970s, the Glassers implemented Stuart’s One-Step, a direct-order entry system enabling hospitals to purchase supplies by computer.

The Glassers have been active, generous contributors to USP. They funded an endowed scholarship at the University to assist dozens of young students during the past decade, and they established a fellowship as well. In addition, the Glassers established an endowment at USP with a gift of one million dollars.

Their tie to the physical therapy field is based on their longstanding interest in orthopedics. For instance, the Glassers introduced into the United States and Canada two surgical spine systems that became the products of choice: Universal Instrumentation (CD) and the Zielke (V.D.S.). Moreover, Gloria has been deeply involved with the Spina Bifida Association and with The Woodlands in Wexford, Pa., which provides enriching programs for children with chronic disabilities.

University of the Sciences in Philadelphia is a private, coeducational institution founded in 1821 as Philadelphia College of Pharmacy, the first college of pharmacy in North America. USP specializes in educating students for rewarding health and science careers.

###