Generations Family Health Center Honors the Life and Legacy of Former Chief Medical Officer, Dr. Morton Glasser
Eastern Connecticut – Generations Family Health Center is deeply saddened to share the news of the passing of its first Chief Medical Officer, Dr. Morton Glasser, who died on April 21, 2025, in Providence, Rhode Island at the age of 88 following an extended illness.
Dr. Glasser dedicated more than six decades of his life to the field of medicine, including nearly four decades of service to Generations Family Health Center. He was honored at a community retirement celebration in November 2022 at the Willimantic Elks Club, where friends, colleagues, and patients gathered to celebrate his remarkable career.
A graduate of Downstate Medical School (1961), Dr. Glasser began his medical journey serving in the U.S. Public Health Service’s Indian Health Service in Oklahoma, working with the Choctaw Nation from 1962–1964. He then moved to Connecticut, where he opened a private practice in Willimantic and became an integral figure in the region’s healthcare community.
Dr. Glasser joined Generations in 1985 as its Medical Director, playing a pivotal role in shaping the clinical standards and mission of the health center. He later became Chief Medical Officer, a role he held until his retirement. During his tenure, he was a relentless advocate for access to quality care, particularly for underserved and marginalized communities. He helped establish a culture of clinical excellence that continues to guide Generations today.
“Dr. Glasser was a pioneer in medicine throughout his career, always centering his work around access to care and clinical excellence,” said Melissa Meyers, Chief Executive Officer at Generations. “His dedication to the individuals and communities he served has left an indelible mark on our organization. It is our honor to carry forward the tremendous legacy he leaves behind.”
In addition to his work at Generations, Dr. Glasser was a founder of Perception Programs, a substance use treatment center in Willimantic, and held leadership roles at Windham Hospital, including Chair of the Education Committee and Chair of the Department of Family Practice. His many accolades include the 2003 Physician of the Year Award from Windham Community Memorial Hospital and the 2014 Award of Excellence from the Connecticut Academy of Family Physicians.
Dr. Glasser was also a lifelong learner and a man of many interests—an accomplished fencer, tennis player, birdwatcher, pool and chess player, and lover of the arts. He is remembered not only for his professional contributions, but for his warmth, humility, and deep compassion for his patients.
In his own words at retirement, Dr. Glasser shared:
“I always considered it a privilege to care for my patients. They trusted me with their pain, worries, losses, and grief—and this is what I will miss most. I would not change anything and would do this all over again.”
Dr. Glasser is survived by his beloved wife Irene and their children, grandchildren, and extended family.
Funeral services will be held at the Hoffman Jewish Memorial Chapel, 11 Fowler Avenue, Newport, RI on Friday, April 25, at 11:00 AM, with burial to follow at Beth Olam Cemetery in Middletown. Shiva will be observed at the Glasser home, 11 Bull Street, Newport, from 5–7 PM on the same day.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to:
Generations Family Health Center, Inc., Attn: Fiscal Department, 40 Mansfield Avenue, Willimantic, CT 06226
or
Windham Hospital Foundation, 112 Mansfield Avenue, Willimantic, CT 06226