Published October 2017
When did you become a Fellow?
I believe I was nominated and inducted in 2002, not too long after I became the dean of the School of Nursing at the University of Pennsylvania. I had just left my academic position at the University of California, San Francisco, where I spent 34 years and where I worked with many colleagues from various disciplines for many years. As a new member of the academic and professional community in Philadelphia, I was looking forward to connecting with and becoming a part of a community of scholars. The College was the perfect venue. I was honored to be nominated and inducted, as becoming a fellow opened up opportunities to meet new colleagues from Philadelphia and beyond. As a newcomer from
What initially interested you about joining the College?
What interested me in the College was its long distinguished history, as well as the potential of meeting new colleagues from multiple disciplines. Although I must add, I also was attracted to the building and its remarkable architecture. Coming from the west coast with its more contemporary buildings, I thought this must be an exceedingly eminent institution if it is housed in such a historical building.
You recently donated a collection of pillboxes to the College. Tell us a bit about the collection and why these objects spoke to you.
Pillboxes and health care have a symbiotic relationship. They reflect the discovery of diseases, the experimentation with interventions and the best solutions for treatment. They are a symbol of science and of caring for people. They also reflect what we advocate for in health care: the right medicine for the right person at the right time by putting the right medicine in the right container. While they are a symbol of my nursing profession, they are also a symbol of globalization. The first pillbox I acquired came from one of my students because I had a headache while teaching one of my doctoral seminars. It contained a couple of aspirins. Then I learnt from my international students about cloves, other seeds and herbs and their relationship to wellness. They all came in small pillboxes from their respective countries. This collection reflects my passion for global health, the many hats I wear, the vibrant colors I love and the cities and countries I have visited. I am honored to have this collection housed in an organization I value tremendously.
Tell us about one of your favorite items in the Library or the Museum.
Even though my choice is not exactly unusual, it is hard for me to not mention the Soap Lady. I first saw this exhibit in the early 1980s when I was a medical student. The body and the process of saponification fascinated me. The exhibit captures the wonder of chemistry, biology, and even forensic medicine. In the last couple of months I was at the museum with a friend who was visiting from out of town. Thirty-five years later I experienced the same wonder and astonishment looking at that body.