More than six decades after graduating from Dickinson College, Dr. Ira D. Glick ’57 continues to make an impact, both in the field of psychiatry and on the basketball court. At 90 years old, Glick remains active mentally and physically, continuing to teach, mentor and play full-court basketball multiple times each week. He believes his longevity is tied to a lifelong commitment to learning and staying active.

   Glick is best known for his work with others to deepen understanding of the brain and improve ways of treating, caring for and hopefully preventing mental illness He advocates for and works toward shifting from a psychosocial model to a biopsychosocial model of care.

 Glick’s journey into medicine began at Dickinson, where he earned a Bachelor of Science degree in 1957.   “What is most memorable about my academic career is that I changed from an average high school student to a good college student,” Glick said. “Now, people actually think I have something to say, listen to me, like me, and I can continue to work with and learn from them.”

   He credits Dickinson’s liberal arts curriculum for shaping his intellectual development and broadening his perspective beyond science.

   “My time at Dickinson shaped my career in that I experienced a broad range of subjects other than just biological and chemical science,” Glick said. “I took courses in literature, philosophy, economics, religion, public speaking and music—what the world was like–in other words, a liberal arts curriculum.”

   Glick also remembers the strong influence of his professors and classmates, who helped shape both his academic growth and personal outlook.

   “I had wonderful professors, who could teach very well and from whom I could learn,” he said. “My fellow students taught me about ‘Life 101’ and how to learn.”

   One particularly meaningful relationship was with his roommate, Bob Simons, who senior year was Senior Sophister. Glick said he has remained in contact with Simons and others of his classmates throughout his life.

His basketball journey at Dickinson included both triumphs and challenges.

   As a freshman, he earned recognition as Freshman of the Year while helping lead a successful team. However, his sophomore year brought unexpected challenges when his father became seriously ill with a peptic ulcer, forcing him to return home for two weeks.

   “I went home worrying that he might die,” Glick recalled. “When I returned, I was two weeks behind in classes and chose to study rather than play on the varsity team.”

   He continued to focus on academics during his junior year while still competing in the Dickinson Law School League, where he distinguished himself as one of the strongest players among dozens of competitors. By his senior year, he returned to the varsity team and played well despite a difficult season for the program.

   “I am proud of both what I learned and how to work with others to do my best academically and athletically,” he said.

   After Dickinson, he attended New York Medical College, earning his medical degree in 1961. He then completed internships and psychiatric training at leading hospitals in New York and San Francisco, gaining early exposure to the complexities of mental illness.Glick regards his undergraduate experience as formative groundwork for his future endeavors.

Through decades of research into the psychopathology and treatment of schizophrenia, Glick built a distinguished career helping patients, advancing medical science and training generations of physicians. Today, he serves as Professor Emeritus of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences at the Stanford University School of Medicine, where he also directed the Schizophrenia Research Clinic and inpatient psychiatry at Stanford Hospital.

   Even with decades of academic and professional success behind him, Glick remains connected to his Dickinson roots. His lifelong love of basketball recently brought Glick back  to campus to participate in a Dickinson alumni basketball game.believes he may be the oldest full-court basketball player currently competing in the United States, and quite possibly, the world.

      He joined the faculty at Hillside Hospital but was then drafted during the Vietnam War era and appointed as Chief of Psychiatry services at Fort Gordon, GA. These experiences helped shape his understanding of psychiatric care and the need for better treatment methods.Throughout his career, Glick focused heavily on schizophrenia, a severe mental illness that affects how individuals think, feel and interact with others.

   At Stanford, he led research aimed at improving treatment outcomes for patients. His work explored how medications could be combined with psychosocial support, such as therapy and family involvement, to improve long-term stability and quality of life.He contributed to major clinical studies evaluating antipsychotic medications and strategies for long-term care. His research helped doctors better understand how to manage symptoms, prevent relapse and support patients over time.

   Beyond research, Glick also worked directly with patients and families, emphasizing that schizophrenia treatment requires more than medication alone. His work promoted a more holistic approach to care—one that includes emotional, social and family support systems.Over the course of his career, he authored or co-authored more than 10 textbooks and 180 scientific publications, contributing to the global understanding of psychiatric disorders and treatment methods.

   His connection to Dickinson remained strong throughout his career. In 2006, the college honored him with its Professional Achievement Award in recognition of his outstanding contributions to medicine and research.   

In addition to his research, Glick became known as an influential educator.He helped develop training programs used in psychiatric residency programs across the United States, shaping how young physicians learn about psychopharmacology (the use of medications to treat mental illness).

   His dedication to teaching earned him numerous honors, including national awards for psychiatric education and clinical research. He also served as a Senior Science Advisor to the director of the National Institute of Mental Health, helping guide national mental health research priorities. These accomplishments highlight a career that extended far beyond individual patients, influencing mental health care on a national and international scale.

   For decades, Glick’s work has centered on improving the lives of people living with severe mental illness.

   Schizophrenia remains one of the most challenging psychiatric conditions to treat, often requiring lifelong care. Glick’s research emphasized long-term outcomes, medication adherence, and the role of family support in recovery.

   His studies helped demonstrate that supportive families and coordinated treatment teams significantly improve patient outcomes—findings that continue to shape modern psychiatric care practices.Beyond clinical research, his work also contributed to reducing stigma around mental illness, encouraging broader understanding and compassion for individuals affected by psychiatric disorders.

   While Glick’s professional life is defined by research and patient care, his interests extend far beyond the laboratory and clinic.He has long maintained a passion for basketball, playing competitively on senior teams even later in life.    Glick’s recent return to Dickinson for an alumni basketball game served as a reminder that achievement is not limited by age.At age 90, he played point guard for half the game, keeping pace with younger players and focusing on teamwork.

   “I ran my team as the point guard in the game and played without problems,” he said. “I could keep up with the younger players.”

   Rather than focusing on scoring, Glick emphasized helping others show what they can do.

   “The announcer and crowd begged me to shoot, but I wanted the other players to do well,” he said.

   During the same visit, Glick also spoke to the men’s and women’s basketball teams about life beyond athletics, delivering talks focused on navigating careers and personal growth after competitive sports.

   His commitment to physical activity remains central to his philosophy on longevity.

   “To have a successful life, you have to keep learning and keep playing and exercising,” Glick said. “I’ve never stopped playing, even now at age 90, playing full court four times a week with both pros and amateurs.”

   His creativity also extends into the arts. Glick is known to be a photographer and collector of artwork, with pieces displayed in exhibitions and publications.

   Looking ahead, Glick continues to pursue new projects, including writing a book that blends a memoir with guidance for individuals facing physical and mental health challenges.

   “I want to be remembered as someone who helped my family, patients and others to have the best lives that they could,” he said. “In other words, living a full life for myself and all the others who I’ve been lucky enough to connect with.”

   His belief that he may be the oldest full-court basketball player in the country adds a remarkable chapter to an already extraordinary life. For Dickinson students watching him play, it offered a powerful example of lifelong vitality and determination.

   His legacy is not just defined by awards, research or titles—but by the thousands of patients helped, students trained, and discoveries made along the way.More than 60 years after graduating from Dickinson, Ira Glick continues to embody the spirit of lifelong learning, service and perseverance.