William Harrer, 'Dr. Bones,' Retires After 50 Years in Medicine

He's known as "Dr. Bones."

But that's not the only legacy Dr. William V. Harrer left behind when he retired last week after 42 years at Our Lady of Lourdes Medical Center and 50 years in medicine.

Harrer, a Haddonfield resident since 1970, was the laboratory director of pathology for Our Lady of Lourdes Medical Center and Lourdes Medical Center of Burlington County. 

He joined Our Lady of Lourdes in 1970 and dedicated his entire career to the field of clinical pathology. Despite being highly accomplished, having served as president of the State Board of Medical Examiners for New Jersey, in addition to president of the medical staff at Our Lady of Lourdes Medical Center, the New Jersey Society of Pathologists and a host of other prestigious organizations, he has remained humble and deeply committed to his work and his profession.

Born in Philadelphia into family of physicians, Harrer found inspiration to become a doctor at a young age from his two uncles whom he was very close with.

"I was destined to be a physician since before I was even born," says Harrer. "Becoming a doctor and following in their footsteps was the only thing I ever envisioned doing as a career."

After graduating from St. Joseph's University with a B.S. in biology in 1958, Harrer went on to receive his medical degree from Jefferson Medical College in 1962.

Circumstance led Harrer into pathology. During an internship at St. Joseph Medical Center, he was drafted to serve in the Vietnam War and sworn in as a second lieutenant at Fort Indiantown Gap outside of Harrisburg. He had been accepted into the OB/GYN Residency Program at Thomas Jefferson University Hospital, but resigned after being drafted.

Fortunately for Harrer, he was never called to active duty and instead decided to continue his education. Having always been interested in pathology, he made it his main focus.

Upon completion of his pathology residency at the Philadelphia Veterans Administration Hospital, he became an assistant director to the clinical laboratories at Jefferson Medical College for three years. He was actively involved in teaching residents, interns and students. His continued interest in teaching led to his eventual promotion to professor of anatomy and cell biology.

After working at Jefferson for several years, Harrer decided to join several friends and a close classmate at Our Lady of Lourdes Medical Center. He accepted a position as the laboratory director of pathology for Our Lady of Lourdes Medical Center, a title which he has held for the past 42 years. In 2006, he also became the laboratory director for Lourdes Medical Center of Burlington County.

"After my third or fourth visit to Lourdes, I saw the light and thought this would be a wonderful challenge to run the laboratory, and to work for a woman—Sister Elizabeth Corry, who was president of the medical center—which was a rarity at the time. I came to admire her endlessly."

Harrer admits that his biggest professional challenge over the last four decades has been to make sure that his laboratory, technical staff and professional staff keep up with the advances in laboratory medicine and to always provide physicians with a correct and timely answer. He credits his success to the "wonderful team" he has worked with over the years.

For those looking to go into the medical profession, Harrer offers wise advice: "If you have a sincere desire to help people, to help them in their physical, mental and spiritual needs, medicine is the finest profession there is. I never told either of my kids that they should become a doctor, but I like to think that they saw how much I loved it and how much I was willing to give of myself for the profession and that is why they chose to go into medicine."

The year 2012 has brought with it much cause for celebration for Harrer. In addition to retiring from his 42-year post at Lourdes, he also turned 75, celebrated his 50th anniversary since graduating medical school and shared 51 years of marriage with his wife, Carole.

"I am going to play those numbers in the next lottery," he jokes. "In all seriousness, when I reflect on all of the milestones I have to celebrate, I feel so fortunate. Life has been good to me."

Retirement for Harrer is not typical of most retirees and he doesn't plan on slowing down any time soon. "There are a lot of things I have left to do," he says.

Harrer is currently on the Board of Trustees for Jefferson Medical College and the Foundation of the College of American Pathologists. He also serves as Chairman of the College of American Pathologists Delegation to the American Medical Association, is on the publication committee for the Jefferson Alumni Bulletin and is a member of 10 medical societies.

"I'm not worried about getting rusty or dusty," Harrer says.

In addition to spending more time with his four children and 11 grandchildren, Harrer looks forward to fishing on his boat and to putting his St. Joseph's basketball season tickets to good use.

This report was complied with information from Our Lady of Lourdes Medical Center.