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Dorothy M. Smith papers
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Held at: University of Pennsylvania: Barbara Bates Center for the Study of The History of Nursing [Contact Us]Claire Fagin Hall, 418 Curie Boulevard, Floor 2U, Philadelphia, PA, 19104-4217
This is a finding aid. It is a description of archival material held at the University of Pennsylvania: Barbara Bates Center for the Study of The History of Nursing. Unless otherwise noted, the materials described below are physically available in their reading room, and not digitally available through the web.
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Dorothy M. Smith, R.N., M. Ed., dean and dean emerita of the College of Nursing at the University of Florida, 1956-1973, was an internationally known nurse leader, educator and clinician.
Smith was born in Bangor, Maine in 1913. She graduated from Quincy City Hospital, School of Nursing in Massachusetts (1936), received her Bachelor’s degree from Teachers College at Columbia University (1941), and a Masters’ Degree from Harvard University (1947). After graduation from Quincy City Hospital, School of Nursing, she was employed as a staff nurse (1936-1937) and later as a head nurse (1937-1939). After receiving her masters’ degree she accepted a position as a science instructor at the Margaret Pillsbury Hospital, School of Nursing, Concord, New Hampshire (1941-1942). In 1942, Smith returned to Quincy City Hospital, School of Nursing as a science instructor and assistant educational director (1942-1945) where she later assumed the position of educational director and science instructor. In 1947, she accepted the position of assistant dean in charge of curriculum, Duke University, School of Nursing, and later the position of director of the Division of Nursing education and assistant dean of the Basic Nursing Program. Smith remained at Duke University until 1952. From 1952-1954, Smith served as a consultant with the National League for Nursing, Division of Nursing Education, New York City. She became assistant director of nursing at Hartford Hospital, School of Nursing, a role which included providing consultation to faculty in curriculum and teaching from 1954 to 1956. In 1956, she became dean of the College of Nursing and professor of nursing, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida, retiring in 1976.
Smith was the founding dean of the College of Nursing, University of Florida. Along with colleagues in medicine, dentistry, and allied health she participated in the design and implementation at the University of Florida of one of the country’s first de novo health science centers integrating education, research and practice across the health professions. A number of important innovations were developed and tested within this interdisciplinary environment that have been widely replicated in the U.S. and internationally. As a nursing leader she influenced the integration of nursing into the mainstream of higher education and practice, and the development of evidence-based nursing practice. Her contribution laid the groundwork for many of the most important advances in nursing education, the development of nurse practitioners and clinical nurse specialists as an integral component of our nation’s health system.
Smith authored numerous papers. She was elected an honorary member of the American Academy of Nursing in 1979, and was named a Living Legend in Nursing by the Academy in 1996. In June 1977 she received the Mary Adelaide Nutting Nursing Award from the National League for Nursing. On August 16, 1997, at the age of 84, she died in Indian Harbour, Florida.
Gift of Roberta Piper and Linda Aiken.
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Organization
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Occupation
- Publisher
- University of Pennsylvania: Barbara Bates Center for the Study of The History of Nursing
- Finding Aid Author
- Finding aid prepared by Center staff, updated by Bethany Myers
- Access Restrictions
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Series 3 of this collection may be restricted. The accession series letters written by Dorothy Smith are restricted for a period of years. Please contact the Center for more information.
- Use Restrictions
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Copyright restrictions may apply. Please contact the Center with requests for copying and for authorization to publish, quote or reproduce the material.
Collection Inventory
This is a small series which includes a biographical sketch, an award, correspondence, educational course papers, correspondence to family members, and Smith’s obituary.
In this series are the large number of addresses and papers Smith presented on numerous occasions, many articles published in various journals and a preliminary draft for a book publication.
This series documents Smith’s association as dean and dean emeritus with the College of Nursing. The series is divided into the following sub-series: administration, nursing courses, and association with other colleges and universities.
Here are snapshots taken when Smith attended Columbia University and with family and friends, also a portrait photo taken in 1979.
See also: accession 1998.05, Dorothy Smith Tribute (60-minute videocassette produced by University of Florida, 1997).
This series is comprised of memorabilia such as a scrapbook, plaques, and awards in recognition of Smith’s achievement and contributions to nursing education. Her academic robe and hood is part of this series.
This series contains materials given to Eileen Becknell by Dorothy M. Smith between the 1960s and 1997.
Restricted
Restricted
Unless otherwised noted, all recording tapes are 7" reels, 1/4 inch x 1800 feet