Organisations & Committees
The American Association for the History of Nursing
The American Association for the History of Nursing (AAHN) is a professional organization open to everyone interested in the history of nursing. The association began in 1979 as a historical methodology group, whose leaders addressed problems associated with the legitimization of nursing history, the communication of our history, the preservation of historical materials, and funding for historical research. Briefly named the International History of Nursing Society, in 1980 the name was changed to the American Association for the History of Nursing. The AAHN Bulletin, newsletter for members, began in 1982, and by 1992 AAHN also inaugurated its official journal: Nursing History Review. The first conference was held in 1984, co-sponsored by the University of Virginia, and has been held annually since then.
A regular highlight of the annual conferences is the recognition of outstanding nursing historical research by announcement of the Lavinia L. Dock, Teresa E. Christy, and the Mary Adelaide Nutting Awards. In 2008, AAHN created a grants program, funding the first two grants to support historical research in nursing.
From the early international beginnings to this first-ever collaboration with the European Nursing History Group for the 27th Annual Conference, AAHN has demonstrated what can be done when creative people dream of things to be and work together to bring them to fruition. The membership now consists of over 400 members, representing not only the United States, but also 16 other countries. The purpose of the AAHN, true to the intent of the founders, and as defined in the Bylaws, is to foster the importance of history as relevant to understanding the past, defining the present, and influencing the future of nursing. It is fitting and just that we collaborate with our international colleagues in a joint exploration of the history of nursing! *Lauren K. Glass, "AAHN: In the Beginning," AAHN Bulletin, Summer 1998, No. 59, pp 4-6.
AAHN Board of Directors
| President | Sylvia Rinker |
| 1st Vice President, Chair, Strategic Planning | Carla Schissel |
| 2nd Vice President, Chair, Program | Arlene Keeling |
| Secretary | Jean C. Whelan |
| Treasurer, Chair, Finance | Jennifer Telford |
| Director, Chair, Publications | Brigid Lusk |
| Director, Chair, Awards | Rima D. Apple |
| Director, Member, Finance | Barbra M. Wall |
| Director, Chair, Bylaws & Policies; | Carol Daisy |
| Director, Member, Strategic Planning | Teresa O'Neill (Tess) |
| Archivist | Gertrude Hutchinson |
| Editor Nursing History Review | Patricia D'Antonio |
| Editor Bulletin | Beth Ann Reedy |
Introducing the European Nursing History Group
The European Nursing History Group (ENHG) was founded in 2007 as a conference planning group. Its membership consisted of Carol McCubbin, Kath Start, Paul Wainwright and Ines Warsop, representing the Kingston University. St. George's University of London; Christine Hallett, representing the UK Centre for the History of Nursing and Midwifery at the University of Manchester; Gerard Fealy, representing the Irish Centre for Nursing and Midwifery History at University College, Dublin; and Duncan Mitchell, representing the Royal College of Nursing History and Heritage Committee. These initial members have worked closely with the American Association for the History of Nursing to develop a conference of broad scope and international appeal.
The ENHG has recently been delighted to welcome several new members: Susanne Malchau, representing the Danish Nursing History Organisation; Ingunn Elstad and Ashild Fause, representing The Norwegian Nursing History Group; Sabine Braunschweig, representing The Swiss Society for the History of Health and Nursing; Sylvelyn Haehner, representing The Robert Bosch Institute, Stuttgart, Germany; Martin McNamara, supporting Gerard Fealy in representing the Irish Centre for Nursing and Midwifery History; and Jane Brooks, supporting Christine Hallett in representing the UK Centre for the History of Nursing and Midwifery. The group is now working towards the inauguration of a European Association for the History of Nursing. Its purpose is to support academic teaching and scholarly research in the History of Nursing, and to develop strong and supportive disciplinary networks throughout the European Region.
The Conference Organising Committee
The Conference Organising Committee has the following membership:
- Carol McCubbin (Kingston University.St. George's University of London)
- Ines Warsop (Kingston University.St. George's University of London)
- Paul Wainwright (Kingston University.St. George's University of London)
- Arlene Keeling (University of Virginia)
- Christine Hallett (University of Manchester)
- Gerard Fealy (University College, Dublin)
The Organising Committee would like to acknowledge the invaluable support and assistance of the following individuals in the early development of the conference:
- Kath Start (formerly Kingston University.St. George's University of London)
- Sylvia Rinker (Lynchburg College)
- Duncan Mitchell (Royal College of Nursing)
The Conference Scientific Committee
The Scientific Committee for this groundbreaking international collaboration consists of expert nurse-historians from around the world. Each member reviewed well over 240 abstracts and provided invaluable assistance in drawing up the conference programme. The membership is:
- Christine Hallett (Chair) (University of Manchester, UK)
- Arlene Keeling (Programme Chair for AAHN) (University of Virginia, USA)
- Barbara Brodie (Abstract Review Chair for AAHN) (University of Virginia, USA)
- Geertje Boschma (University of British Columbia, Canada)
- Jane Brooks (University of Manchester, UK)
- Mary Ann Bradford Burnam, Ph.D., R.N., C.N.S. (Otterbein College, USA)
- Gerard Fealy (University College, Dublin, Ireland)
- Judith Godden (University of Sydney, Australia)
- Sylvelyn Haehner (Robert Bosch Institute, Stuttgart, Germany)
- Stephanie Kirby (University of the West of England, UK)
- Susan McGann (Royal College of Nursing Archives, UK)
- Dr. Florence Melchior, RN; PhD (University of Calgary, Canada)
- Jennifer Telford (University of Connecticut, USA)
- Paul Wainwright (University of Kingston-upon-Thames, UK)
- Stuart Wildman (University of Birmingham, UK)
- Pamela Wood (Victoria University of Wellington, New Zealand
Conference Sponsors
The conference organisers would like to thank the Royal College of Nursing for sponsoring the Round Table Debate and also for sponsoring 2 Health Care Assistants and 2 students to attend the conference.
We should also like to thank RCN Publishing for sponsoring our publicity and providing conference bags.
