Call Number:

MC 142

Repository:

University of Pennsylvania: Barbara Bates Center for the Study of The History of Nursing

Extent:

4.0 linear feet

Language:

English

Preferred Citation:

Doris Bloch, papers, Barbara Bates Center for The Study of The History of Nursing, University of Pennsylvania

Date:

1928-2003 (inclusive)

Donor:

Bloch, Doris and Mosse, Gerda

Form:

National Institute of Health, National Institute of Nursing Research, and Printed ephemera

Abstract:

These papers document Doris Bloch’s role in creating a national nursing research agenda, evaluating agenda priorities, and developing agency funding guidelines while during various roles within the National Center of Nursing Research, Division of Nursing, Department of Health and Human Services.

Doris Bloch (November 13, 1928- August 10, 2003) “was a native of Berlin. She escaped Nazi persecution by hiding in The Netherlands with the aid of families in the Dutch countryside. While she and her sister survived, her parents died in Auschwitz. Her story is recorded in the U.S. Holocaust Memorial Museum.

As an illustration of her courage and perseverance, following high school in Holland, Bloch immigrated to the U.S. and enrolled in Mount Holyoke College, even though she did not speak a word of English. After graduating with a B.A. in zoology, she completed her nursing education at Yale University, earning a master's degree in nursing, followed by master's and doctoral degrees in public health at the University of California at Berkeley. She went on to forge a distinguished career in public health, which included service in the then Tanganyika, Kenya and the Philippines. After returning to the U.S., she joined the Division of Nursing at HRSA in 1971.” (1)

Bloch served as Acting Director of the Division of Extramural Programs (1986-1987); Acting Chief of the Nursing Systems Branch, Extramural Programs (1986-1987); Chief of the Office of Program Planning and Evaluation (1987-1989); and as special Assistant to the director of the NCNW (1990-1994).

Source: (1) Nursing Research Leader Bloch Dies https://nihrecord.nih.gov/newsletters/09_30_2003/obits.htm

Doris Bloch trained as public health nurse in 1972 began work as executive secretary to Nursing Research and Education Advisory Committee, Nursing Research Branch, Division of Nursing, Health Resources Administration, Department of Health, Education and Welfare.

Bloch continued working in various position at the Department of Health and Human Services, including Chief of Office Program Planning and Evaluation at the National Center of Nursing Rearch (NCNR) and from 1990-1994 Special Assistant to the Director NCNR before her retirement.

The papers deal mainly with Bloch’s work at the National Center for Nursing Research (NCNR) from 1986-1994. The forerunner of the National Institute of Nursing Research (NINR) (re-designated in 1993), the NCNR was established as part of the NIH by the secretary of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services in April 1986. The purpose of the NCNR was to enlarge the body of scientific knowledge which underlies nursing practice, education, and administration through sponsorship of research, training grants, and research career development awards to support basic clinical research.

This collection deals with Dr. Bloch’s move to the NIH, NINR research and research training, NINR research grants, and other related materials.