New Career: The Elmhurst Hospital

March 1967 - October 1972

Hugh was increasingly concerned about his financial situation, and as he was not painting he did not wish to be a burden to his family so he was actively looking for work. Much to his surprise he got a job as a physiotherapist aid at Elmhurst Hospital in Queens. When he was being interviewed he remembered he had helped Arthur in his physiotherapy practice, and they hired him on the spot.

Hugh worked in geriatrics, which he found very rewarding. While he was a solitary person in many ways, he was also very social and enjoyed the theatre of social interaction. His work in the hospital gave him an audience of people who were starved for entertainment and the relief it gave from suffering. While he could and did help the people with their physical ailments, he understood that it was his affectionate “joakified manner,” singing and reciting poetry that was at the very least equally important.

While there were occasional frustrations, Hugh’s love of and enthusiasm for the work was sustained from the time he started until the winter of 1972. However, he was ambivalent about his staying at the hospital, and he quite regularly talked about returning to painting despite the financial security and the personal affirmation his hospital work gave him. He also exhibited his work at the hospital and taught art classes.

The other advantage of hospital work was that it of necessity moderated his drinking. However, it seems likely that his use of alcohol eventually affected his work, which he found increasingly physically demanding because of weakness in his knees and may have led to a deteriorating relationship with his boss. In the fall of 1972, he abruptly left the hospital.

Photos of Hugh
Hugh in his Hospital Garb
Hugh in his Hospital Garb

Circa 1968

Hugh in Hospital Garb
Hugh in Hospital Garb

1969-1972