HSL Hosts Images of Nursing History Presentation
The Health Sciences Library (HSL) hosted a special presentation, “Images of Nursing History."
The Health Sciences Library (HSL) hosted a special presentation, “Images of Nursing History,” on September 18, with keynote speaker Sandra Lewenson, Ed.D., RN, FAAN, far left, professor of nursing, Lienhard School of Nursing, College of Health Professions, Pace University. An expert on the history of nursing and its relevance to modern nursing practice, Dr. Lewenson presented “Nurse Clinician at the Bedside: The Ideas of Frances Reiter, 1940s-1970s.” Frances U. Reiter, D.Ed., M.A., served as dean of the Flower-Fifth Avenue School of Nursing, later known as the Graduate School of Nursing, from 1960 to 1970. Dean Frances Reiter coined the term “nurse-clinician” and was one of the first nurses to become a researcher. She advocated the need for advanced preparation for nurse clinicians and was groundbreaking in her views on interdisciplinary education.
Sandra Russo, M.S., RN, Ph.D., center, chair and director of nursing, Touro College School of Health Sciences, presented the history of Touro’s nursing program which began in Brooklyn, New York, in 2005 offering Bachelor of Science in Nursing degrees and has expanded to include the Registered Nurse – Bachelor of Science (RN - BS) program on the NYMC campus.
Edward C. Halperin, M.D., M.A., second from left, chancellor and chief executive officer, shared the history of nursing as depicted on stamps and first day covers with examples from his personal collection.
“Dean Frances Reiter of the Graduate School of Nursing and her role in the advancement of nursing education in the 1960s are an important part of New York Medical College’s history. As the College’s archivist, it was exciting to host a guest speaker who is passionate about telling the story of Dean Reiter’s innovations and their legacy for modern nursing,” said Nicholas Webb, M.S.I.S., second from right, archivist and digital preservation librarian, who moderated the event.
The event was organized in conjunction with the HSL's hosting of the National Library of Medicine traveling exhibit, "Pictures of Nursing: The Zwerdling Postcard Collection." The exhibit explores examples of how nurses and the nursing profession were portrayed in postcards produced between 1893 and 2011 from the collection of Michael Zwerdling, RN, an American nurse and collector. The exhibit is on display in the 19 Skyline Drive ground floor lobby through September 26, followed by the HSL through October 10.
Photo from left: Sandra Lewenson, Ed.D., RN, FAAN, professor Lienhard School of Nursing, College of Health Professions, Pace University; Edward C. Halperin, M.D., M.A., chancellor and chief executive officer; Sandra Russo, M.S., RN, chair and director of nursing, Touro College School of Health Sciences; Nicholas Webb, M.S.I.S., archivist and digital preservation librarian; and Marie T. Ascher, M.S., M.P.H., the Lillian Hetrick Huber Endowed Director of the HSL.
