Now on display in the main lobby of the OHSU Library is the latest exhibit from the Historical Collections & Archives. The exhibit features artifacts, photographs and documents from the Grace Phelps Papers. This rich collection tells the story of the life and times of one of Oregon’s earliest educators in nursing.

Ms. Phelps was born in a small town in Indiana in 1871. She graduated from the Cincinnati General Hospital Training School in 1900, becoming one of Indiana’s earliest registered nurses. She rose from private duty nurse to Superintendent of Nurses at Multnomah County Hospital, Chief Nurse of Base Hospital #46 during WWI, Charge Nurse for the Portland chapter of the American Red Cross and Superintendent of Doernbecher Memorial Hospital for Children. Grace Phelps dedicated her life to nursing and was instrumental in the advancement of education for nurses and the betterment of nursing practice.

I hope that everyone will be able to come to the exhibit, but for those who cannot, an online component will be available. Please visit our Exhibits web page to see the past and present exhibits from the OHSU Historical Collections & Archives. Questions and comments about the exhibit can be directed to Archivist Karen Peterson (peterska@ohsu.edu or 503-494-3239).