Shining a light on history - how medical librarians are helping

Hospitals, nursing schools, and other medical establishments have a long tradition in communities. But documenting that tradition hasn't always been easy or even a priority. WHSLA members have made an impact on making this history more accessible. 

• Michele Matucheski has collected oral histories and other items documenting the history of St. Elizabeth's Hospital, Sisters of the Sorrowful Mother, and "Hallmarks of Mercy" historical displays.  

• Jan Curnes shared her interest in Milwaukee VA medical history in a 2017 WHSLA Spotlight. 

• Jennifer Deal digitized hundreds of photos and memorabilia from Mount Sinai School of Nursing, Deaconess School of Nursing, Milwaukee Hospital School of Nursing and others. Surprisingly, these digitized  pieces are among the most downloaded items on their institutional repository. 

• Milwaukee PBS show, TenThirtySix, recently paid a visit to the Advocate Aurora Sinai historical display cases, curated in part by former librarian, Ann Towell. Check out the story of Milwaukee's first African-American nursing graduate: Delores Nicholson Wilkins.