About the Center

Through its extensive collections, fellowships, and curricula opportunities, the Barbara Bates Center provides considerable evidence for scholars and students to question traditional disciplinary paradigms; to give voice to the historical power of nursing; and to analyze the strengths and weaknesses of local and global approaches to issues of health and illness.

The Barbara Bates Center is a committed partner in preserving all voices of nursing history, opening access to collection materials, and growing our digitized collections and sites. To support our efforts individuals can contribute funds, donate personal papers, and volunteer time.

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Featured Event

  

October 23 | 4:00 PM EDT

Rickets in the History of Medicine: Bit Player or “A-Lister”?

The history of rickets is deeply intertwined with the emergence of modern medicine. This talk with Christian Warren, PhD, will demonstrate that, time and again, rickets was a player in important chapters of that drama.

Christian Warren, PhD, Brooklyn College of the City University of New York

Featured News

Featured Fellow: Matty Hemming

This past summer, the Bates Center welcomed the first of its 2024 fellows to the archives. Alice Fisher Fellow Matty Hemming shares more about her research and what she discovered in a short essay and exhibit that she curated for the Center’s Instagram page


Dr. Hemming completed her PhD at Penn in 2024 and is now the Janice G. Doty Lecturer in Medical Humanities at Rice University.

Living Legend Designation for Penn Nursing Professor

The American Academy of Nursing has named Julie A. Fairman, PhD, RN, FAAN, Professor of Nursing at Penn Nursing, a Living Legend. This honor is bestowed upon a person who has made significant contributions to nursing and health care over the course of their career. The official designation will be made at the Academy’s 2024 conference, Courageous Transformations Towards an Equitable Future, which will take place October 31- November 2, 2024, in Washington, D.C. This is the Academy’s highest honor.

Upcoming Events

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    October 23 | 4:00 PM EDT

    Rickets in the History of Medicine: Bit Player or “A-Lister”?

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    November 13 | All Day

    Exhibit - Through Nursing’s Lens: The Nurse in Wartime Imagery and Photographs

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    November 13 | 9:30 AM EST

    Community Connection - Through Nursing’s Lens: The Nurse in Wartime Imagery and Photographs

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    April 1, 2025 | 4:00 PM EDT

    Bates Center Seminar - Wendy Kline