MARC ZISSELMAN

ZISSELMAN MARC HOWARD, MD. 61 years of age, of Philadelphia, passed away suddenly on December 30, 2020. Marc was the loving husband to Pamela (Mattoon) Zisselman, devoted father to Heidi M. Zisselman and Robert S. Zisselman and cherished brother to Wendy (Zisselman) Mamberg and brother-in-law to Todd Mamberg. Marc was born in NYC and raised in Scarsdale, NY. He attended Scarsdale High School where he excelled at soccer, track and academics. Marc attended college at the University of Pennsylvania, graduating in 1981. While at Penn, Marc began his life long love for Philadelphia and developed close friendships that lasted his lifetime. Marc's friend, John Reiss, says "Marc understood people like no one I ever met. He had an amazingly effective non-threatening way of helping you." Marc attended New York Medical College, graduating in 1987. Residency was at Albert Einstein/Montefiore Medical Center and he was Chief Resident North Central Bronx Hospital. Following residency, Marc returned to Philadelphia in 1991 and began his career in Geriatric Psychiatry and teaching at Thomas Jefferson University Hospital. He was an Instructor then Assistant Professor at Jefferson Medical College until 1996 at which time he became Associate Professor and Director, Division of Geriatric Psychiatry at Temple University School of Medicine. In 2006, Dr. Zisselman started work at Albert Einstein Medical Center, Philadelphia, serving as Associate Chair, Department of Psychiatry and Director of the Division of Geriatric Psychiatry. Michael Vergare, MD., Professor and Chair Emeritus, Dept of Psychiatry Thomas Jefferson University, Marc's mentor, colleague and friend at Einstein says of Marc, "I relied on his clear vision as a professional colleague and friend and his presence enriched our lives and inspired all who knew him." In 2015 Dr. Zisselman and his family moved to Annapolis, MD and he became the Medical Director of the Geriatric Service line at Sheppard Pratt Health System in Towson, MD. Steven Sharfstein, MD, President Emeritous of Sheppard Pratt Health System describes Marc as a "superb clinician, his work with seriously ill geriatric patients exemplary and his compassion and understanding extended to the staff who adored him." The pull of Philadelphia was too much and in 2019, Dr. Zisselman and his wife returned to Philadelphia and Jefferson Hospital/Jefferson Medical College where he was an Associate Professor and Psychiatrist on the Hospital Consultation-Liaison Team at the time of his death. Kiera Chism, MD, Marc's colleague at Jefferson says "Marc's colleagues depended on his heroic work ethic, calm mentorship, engaging anecdotes and most of all his solid friendship." Marc's love for his career was only eclipsed by his love for running, friends and family. He started running marathons in college and was once a guide to a blind runner during one NYC Marathon. Friendships were forged along the Wissahickon trails. Every weekend morning for the past 25 years, Marc met his running friends at Valley Green to run the trails. Marc was an official at his beloved Penn Relays for 28 years, first serving as a shot put official and then a relays timer eventually becoming Chief Timer in 2001. Dave Johnson, Director of the Penn Relays states "Marc had the rare quality of being an expert at his craft and simultaneously shedding his ego…one could not find a better example of the quintessential Chief Official". Marc's greatest joy was being with his family. Nothing made him happier than running or hiking with Pam, Heidi and Robbie, Robbie's fondest memories are running road races and attending Sixers games with his Dad. Heidi recalls her father's wise counsel whether about rowing, an academic paper or her career as a naval officer. The family asks that in lieu of flowers, donations in Marc's honor be sent to the National Alliance on Mental Illness at NAMI, P.O. Box 49104, Baltimore, MD 21297.(donate.nami.org) or to "Friends of the Penn Relays" mailed to Penn Relays, 219 S. 33rd Street, Philadelphia, PA 19104-6319. A celebration of Marc's life will take place late 2021, along his favorite running path in the Wissahickon, when gatherings will be safe. www.goldsteinsfuneral.com