He founded the Institute of Ophthalmology of the Americas and was also a history buff, known for meticulous accounts of the early development of the New York Eye and Ear Infirmary and the in-depth profile of one of its founders, Dr. Edward Delafield. In addition to a long list of professional societies and associations to which he belonged and participated, Samuels devoted time to the American Ophthalmological Society AOS beginning in , when he became a member.