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Center Students
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Briana Ralston
Entered program in: Fall 2010 Program
advisor: Julie Fairman
Research interests: I am investigating the process of the
establishment and development of neonatal intensive care units during the 1960s
and 70s.
Special memories: People say that if you want a good dose of
humility, enroll in a PhD program. The scholars at the Bates Center have
consistently held the bar higher for me than I thought it could go. I am still
looking up at it, and the crick in my neck is a bit distracting at times. But
there have also been chats over cups of tea, nods and smiles, and even some
good laughs to put things in perspective. It has been in the little moments of
mentorship that the academic standards seem achievable. In some ways, it
has been these little moments that
temper that consistent dose of grad student humility.
Why doctoral studies in nursing
history: During my senior year in
nursing at Penn, Dr. Fairman suggested I undertake a historical study for my
senior thesis which I thought would be fun. She guided me through the thesis
project, but she also gave me the space to begin to explore and discover
historical scholarship. Through that process, and as I continued to think about
it over the next few years, I realized how challenging and enjoyable history
is. But I also began to see how much I needed to absorb to fully engage in good
historical scholarship, and how that excellent scholarship can impact policy
and practice. So I emailed Dr Fairman and asked her about the PhD program, and
the rest is...history!
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Katharine Smith
Entered program in: Fall 2010 Program
advisor: Patricia D’Antonio
Research interests: My research focus is on women who received baccalaureate
degrees in the late 19th through early 20th century and then went on to enter
hospital based nurse training programs. I am interested in questions of identity
and class that the experiences of these women help to illuminate.
Special memories: The best moments that I’ve experienced
occurred at the 2011 AAHN conference. Being a member of the AAHN, myself, is a
cherished part of my identity. This is a group of smart, interested,
interesting, supportive and most importantly fun-loving group of women and men.
I am proud and excited to be a part of this community.
Why doctoral studies in nursing
history: I was looking for a
doctoral program that would support me in asking questions about the meaning of
nursing practice to those who practice it, are cared for by nurses and the
society that helps to define it. I never thought I would be studying history,
but through reading the work of the faculty in the Bates Center, I discovered that
history provides a rigorous and nuanced way to probe such questions. |
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Kathleen Nishida
Entered program in: Fall 2010 Program
advisor: Patricia D’Antonio
Research interests and/or
dissertation topic: My
research interests encompass globalization, international nursing, the spread
of nursing ideas as well as midwifery, medicinals, and the early American time
period.
Why doctoral studies in nursing
history: I chose to enter the PhD
program and study nursing history because I find it completely fascinating.
Nursing history is important to me in terms of my own identity as a nurse. In
my baccalaureate program in nursing I struggled with the modern identity of nursing
and felt like I didn’t belong. I found the technology and the extreme
efficiency of some of my peers somewhat alienating. It was through stories
of some of nursing’s historical leaders that I was able to see qualities in
nursing that resonated with me and it spoke to public health nursing and
problem solving within communities. I also believe that in learning and
practicing the methodology of historical research that I can mentor others in
this particular pathway of scholarship and that this is important in advancing the
academic opportunities for students who are interested in history. |
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Linda Tina Maldonado
Entered program in: Fall 2007 Program
advisor: Barbra Mann Wall
Research interests and/ or
dissertation topic: I am
interested in understanding how nurse midwives in Philadelphia and Washington, D.C.
negotiated care with minority, low-income communities of women during the 1960s
through the 1980s.
Special memories: I’ve been very lucky to have taken so many
great courses here at the University of Pennsylvania that have enabled me to
add new insight into my area of research. As a result of taking courses such as
Critical Race Theory and The Politics of Women’s Health, the lens through which
I view the history of midwives in a post civil rights context has grown and
gathered new depth of understanding.
Why doctoral studies in nursing
history: As an obstetric nurse of
over twenty years, I became very interested in the multiple factors
contributing to the complex differences and relationships between medical
models and midwifery models of birth. In addition, the intersection of race and
class was introduced to me as another facet of the picture. I knew that the
only way I wanted to approach these relationships was through a historical
lens. The beauty of a doctoral degree from Penn Nursing is the ability and encouragement
one receives to study from diverse fields and disciplines. The education one
receives is truly one of a kind. |
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