Pioneers

The Claude Moore Health Sciences Library maintains a list of student pioneers in the history of UVA Health. We recognize that this list is incomplete and will add to it over time. If there are any additions that you would like to suggest, email us at: hsl-historical@virginia.edu.

SCHOOL OF MEDICINE

Online Resources

• Awards and Honors Listings. Maintained by the UVA School of Medicine Department of Student Affairs. The website lists annual awards given to honor students who show excellence in their field. Also included are Faculty and Departmental Awards.

• UVA Medical Alumni Association. Information on news, awards, events, and programs for alumni and current students.

Books, Articles, and Presentations

Below is a list of books, articles, and presentations related to the history of student life at the UVA School of Medicine. This list is arranged in chronological order.

• Barefoot, C. (2001). The Corner: A History of Student Life at the University of Virginia. Charlottesville, Va: Howell Press.

• Singleton, M. (2011). Adjusting the Prescription: The School of Medicine Overhauls its century-old educational approach. Virginia Magazine. University of Virginia.

• Apprey, M., and Poe, S.M. (Editors). (2017). The Key to the Door: Experiences of Early African American Students at the University of Virginia. Charlottesville, Va.: University of Virginia Press.

• Wolfe, B. (2017). Mr. Jefferson’s Telescope: A History of the University of Virginia in 100 Objects. Charlottesville, Va: University of Virginia Press.

Oral Histories, Interviews, and Conversations

This is a list of known oral histories and interviews arranged in chronological order that feature the stories of students at the UVA School of Medicine. Whenever possible, we include a direct link to an online version of the resource. When that is not possible, we provide a link to a catalog record that will indicate how you can access the resource at one of the University of Virginia's libraries.

• Interview of Dr. McLemore Birdsong, 1976: Dr. Birdsong (SOM Class of 1937) is interviewed by Charles E. Moran, Jr.

• Interview of Dr. William A. Brumfield, Jr., 1976: Dr. Brumfield (SOM Class of 1930) is interviewed by Charles E. Moran, Jr.

• Interview of Dr. Frank D. Daniel, 1976: Dr. Daniel (SOM Class of 1932) is interviewed by Charles E. Moran, Jr.

• Interview of Drs. W. LeRoy and Thelma Brumfield Dunn, 1976: Dr. Thelma B. Dunn and her husband Dr. William LeRoy Dunn (both graduates of the SOM Class of 1926) are interviewed by Charles E. Moran, Jr., about their lives and medical careers. 

• Interview of Dr. Charles Bruce Morton, II, 1976: Dr. Morton (SOM Class of 1922) is interviewed by Charles E. Moran Jr.

• Interview of Dr. David C. Wilson, 1976: Dr. Wilson (SOM Class of 1919) is interviewed by Charles E. Moran, Jr.

• Interview of Dr. Bayard Taylor Horton and Mrs. Jane Heyl Horton, 1977: Dr. Horton (SOM Class of 1922) and his wife Jane Heyl Horton are interviewed by Charles E. Moran, Jr.

• Women Medical Students at UVA, Notes of Janet Coleman Kimbrough, M.D., 1978: This is Dr. Janet Kimbrough's account of her experiences as a UVA medical student when women students were first being admitted to the school (with contributions added by Dr. Thelma Brumfield Dunn). Kimbrough was in the class of 1926. A number of professors are mentioned including Robert Bennett Bean, Carl Caskey Speidel, Harvey E. Jordan, Harry T. Marshall, Gregory F. Lukianoff, Theodore Hough, James A. Waddell, John Staige Davis, Stephen "Burley" Watts, and James Carroll Flippin. Kimbrough describes courses in the various year, living arrangements, and the search for internships.

• Women Medical Students at UVA, Additions by Thelma Brumfield Dunn, M.D., 1978: This is Dr. Thelma B. Dunn's account of experiences as a UVA medical student when women were first being admitted to the school. Dunn was in the class of 1926. She writes about Sarah Ruth Dean, the first woman to graduate from the UVA School of Medicine. Professors that are mentioned include James A. Waddell, Harry T. Marshall, John Staige Davis, Stephen "Burley" Watts, Robert Bennett Bean, Harvey E. Jordan, Theodore Hough, John S. Lawrence, Alfred Chanutin, James Carroll Flippin, Henry B. Mulholland, J. Edwin Wood, William H. Goodwin, Isaac A. Bigger, John H. Neff, Allen F. Voshell, Lawrence T. Royster, William E. Bray, D. C. Smith, William A. Lambeth, George B. Young, Paul B. Barringer, and Kenneth F. Maxcy. She also includes three stories about distinguished visitors to the University: William M. Thackeray, [Charles] Dickens, and Teddy Roosevelt.

• Julian Bond Interview of Dr. Vivian Pinn, 2007: Julian Bond conducted this interview of Dr. Vivian Pinn (SOM Class of 1967) as part of a series on Black leadership directed by Bond and Phyliss Leffler. During the conversation, Dr. Pinn shares stories about her childhood, education, experiences as a Black woman attending the UVA School of Medicine during the 1960s, and her distinguished career in Medicine. Julian Bond and Dr. Pinn also engage in a discussion about leadership and Black leadership.

• Interview with Dr. Morton C. Wilhelm, 2010. Dr. M.C. Wilhelm (SOM Class of 1947) is interviewed as part of the "History of Cancer Care at the University of Virginia" project, an effort sponsored by the Claude Moore Health Sciences Library which produced a book of the same title.

• HistoryMakers Interview of Dr. Vivian Pinn, 2013: Dr. Vivian Pinn (SOM Class of 1967) is interviewed by Larry Crowe for the HistoryMakers project. In this 8 part interview, Dr. Pinn recalls her family history, childhood, early education, and her time at the University of Virginia School of Medicine. She also discusses her medical career and pathology research, the National Medical Association, and issues related to Black women's health.

• Interview of Dr. Barbara Starks Favazza, 2017: Dr. Barbara Starks Favazza (SOM Class of 1966), shares stories about her experiences as the first Black woman to attend and graduate from the UVA School of Medicine. She also shares stories about her childhood, early interest in medicine, participation in the Civil Rights Movement, and later medical career. This interview is published in the book, "The Key to the Door: Early Experiences of African American Students at the University of Virginia."

• Interview of Dr. Vivian Pinn, 2017: Dr. Maurice Apprey, UVA Dean of African American Affairs and Professor of Psychiatric Medicine, interviews Dr. Vivian Pinn (SOM Class of 1967). Dr. Pinn shares stories about her experiences as the only woman and African American in UVA School of Medicine's Class of 1967. She also discusses her views of and relationship with the University of Virginia after receiving her medical degree. This interview is published in the book, "The Key to the Door: Early Experiences of African American Students at the University of Virginia."

• Double Take Talk by Dr. Vivian Pinn, 2018: Dr. Vivian Pinn (SOM Class of 1967) participates in the storytelling event that marked UVA President Jim Ryan's inauguration. In her presentation, Dr. Pinn recounts her experience as a first-year medical student at UVA in 1963.

• Oral History of Dr. Edward Thomas Wood, September 2021: Dr. Edward Wood (UVA SOM Class of 1957) participates in this oral history interview with former Dean of the UVA School of Medicine, David Wilkes. Dr. Wood shares stories about his childhood, his experiences as of the first two Black medical students at UVA, and his distinguished career in ophthalmology.

• Oral History of Dr. Linda Thompson, November 15, 2021: Part of a joint project to document the stories of medical alumni, led by the Claude Moore Health Sciences Library and UVA Medical Alumni Association.

• Oral History of Dr. Dorothy Tompkins, November 19, 2021: Part of a joint project to document the stories of medical alumni, led by the Claude Moore Health Sciences Library and UVA Medical Alumni Association.

• UVA Medical Alumni Association Faculty Interview Series, 2015-2021: A video series sponsored by the UVA Medical Alumni Association and hosted by Dr. Rick Greene (SOM Class of 1970). The recordings feature the stories of School of Medicine faculty members, many of which are also alumni of the UVA School of Medicine.

Records and Other Archival Content

Newsletters

• Virginia Medicine. A newsletter produced by the UVA Medical Alumni Association covering medical school news and faculty and alumni highlights. (Formerly titled Vitals). Previous medical alumni newsletters (dating from 1948) can be found in the University of Virginia Medical Alumni Association Records, MS-21, at the Claude Moore Health Sciences Library. 

Historical Publications

• School of Medicine Announcements (Record or Catalogs), 1825-2009. [Part of the UVA School of Medicine Records RG-17-1]. Published under several different names, these annual catalogs contain: admissions requirements, course descriptions, student listings, and records of degree and award recipients. 

• Students of the University of Virginia: A Semi-Centennial Catalogue, with Brief Biographical Sketches, 1878. Baltimore: Charles Harvey & Co. Publishers.

• Barringer, P.B. (1904). University of Virginia: It's History, Influence, Equipment and Characteristics, with Biographical Sketches and Portraits of Founders, Benefactors, Officers, and Alumni. New York: Lewis Publishing Company. 

• School of Medicine Commencement Records, 1911-2017. [Part of the UVA School of Medicine Records RG-17-1]. A series of records documenting commencement and graduation events for the School of Medicine, including programs and schedules of events.  

• School of Medicine Yearbooks, 1947-2017. [Part of the UVA School of Medicine Records RG-17-1]. Over the years, various iterations of yearbooks have been produced for the School of Medicine and by medical students. Recent yearbooks are available at the Claude Moore Health Sciences Library. Medical students can also often be found in early issues of Corks & Curls, the undergraduate yearbook produced from 1888 to 2008; some of these issues are available online.  

• Medical Student Handbooks, 1970-2000. [Part of the UVA School of Medicine Records RG-17-1]. Manuals for matriculating students at the UVA School of Medicine (several types of student handbooks are available under different names).

• Levine, Jules I., Sheatsley, David W. (1975). Alumni of the University of Virginia School of Medicine: What Are They Doing, Where, and With Whom. Charlottesville, Va.: Division of Health Services Research, University of Virginia. 

Photographs and Video Recordings

• UVA Medical Alumni Association Photo Albums, 2016-Present. Features photographs of ceremonies, reunions, and other events. 

• Medical Student Class Plays and Talent Shows, 1933-2012. [Part of the UVA School of Medicine Records RG-17-1]. Performances organized annually by the fourth year class of the School of Medicine, generally intended to be humorous or satirical.

• School of Medicine Class Photographs, 1867-2017. [Part of the UVA School of Medicine Records RG-17-1]. Photographs featuring the graduating members of the School of Medicine. Photographs from certain years are not available. Some images can be found in the UVA Visual History Collection.

Other Records

• UVA School of Medicine Student Notebook Collection, MS-37, 1839-1954. A collection of student notebooks containing the notes that medical students took in their classes or laboratories at the University of Virginia. Collection is located at the Claude Moore Health Sciences Library.

• Alpha Omega Alpha Records. [Part of the UVA School of Medicine Records RG-17-1]. AOA records include member roll books, meeting minutes, chapter charter, and organizational history.

• Student National Medical Association Records. [Part of the UVA School of Medicine Records RG-17-1]. SNMA records include a 1994 newsletter, awards programs, and archived web content. Additional information can be found on the SNMA - UVA chapter website.

• Mulholland Society Records. [Part of the UVA School of Medicine Records RG-17-1]. Records include issues of a student-produced publication titled Medical Dick (M.D.) from 1972-1973.

SCHOOL OF NURSING

Online Resources

• Eleanor Crowder Bjoring Center for Nursing Historical Inquiry. Based in the UVA School of Nursing, the Bjoring Center was established in 1991 to support historical scholarship in nursing. The Bjoring Center publishes a bi-annual newsletter, hosts a nursing history conference and other programs, and maintains manuscript and photograph collections. (The scope of the Bjoring Center covers the broader history of nursing, but certain resources relevant to the UVA School of Nursing and UVA Health are present.)

Books, Articles, and Presentations

Below is a list of books, articles, and presentations related to the history of student life at the UVA School of Nursing.

• Brodie, Barbara. (2000). Mr. Jefferson's Nurses: The University of Virginia School of Nursing, 1901-2001. Charlottesville, Va.: University of Virginia Press. University of Virginia School of Nursing Meridan Printing Press.

• Vanderlinden, Nicole. (2013). Looking Back to Look Ahead: Study of Nursing History Provides Insight into Future of Health Care. Virginia Magazine. Fall 2013.

Oral Histories, Interviews, and Conversations

This is a list of known oral histories and interviews arranged in chronological order that feature the stories of students at the UVA School of Nursing. Whenever possible, we include a direct link to an online version of the resource. When that is not possible, we provide a link to a catalog record that will indicate how you can access the resource at one of the University of Virginia's libraries.

• Oral History Interview of Roy C. Beazley, 1973: Roy Carpenter Beazley received a nursing diploma from UVA (1930) as well as a B.S. in Nursing Education from the UVA Department of Education's Cabaniss Memorial School of Nursing Education (1941). She made significant contributions to nursing education during her 40 years at UVA, which included time as the Nursing Service Director at the UVA Hospital. Interview conducted by Charlotte Shelton.

• Oral History Interview of Ruth Beery, 1973: Ruth Beery received her nursing diploma from UVA in 1928 and went on to serve as an instructor and Superintendent of Nursing at the UVA School of Nursing. In this recording she is interviewed by Charlotte Shelton.

• A Conversation with Mavis Claytor, April 7, 2017: Mavis Claytor (UVA SON MSN 1985, BSN 1970) shares stories about her early life, her experiences as the first Black degree student in the UVA School of Nursing, and her distinguished career in nursing. The conversation was moderated by UVA SON PhD student Tori Tucker and was held in front of a large public audience. Ms. Claytor also takes questions from the audience. The program ends with a formal apology to Ms. Claytor from the UVA School of Nursing.

• Jackson P. Burley High School's Segregated Black Licensed Practical Nursing Program, Medical Center Hour Presentation, October 2, 2019: Two graduates of the UVA-Jackson P. Burley Hgh School Licensed Practical Nursing Program, Clariece Coles Harris (UVA SON Class of 1954) and Evelyn Rodgers Gardner (UVA SON Class of 1959), participate in this public program at the University of Virginia. UVA SON PhD student Tori Tucker moderates the discussion which includes stories about the life, education, and careers of Mrs. Harris and Gardner.

Records and Other Archival Content

Newsletters

• Virginia Nursing Legacy Magazine. A newsletter produced by the UVA School of Nursing Alumni Association Council covering current news stories and updates from SON alumni.

Historical Publications

• Taylor, Alton and Mandrillo, Margaret P. (1973). A Survey and Analysis of Bachelor Degree Recipients From the School of Nursing of the University of Virginia, 1969-1972. Charlottesville, Va.: Office of Institutional Analysis.

• School of Nursing Catalogs, 1928-1984. Published under several different names, information contained within these annual catalogs may include: admissions requirements, course descriptions, and records of degree and award recipients.

• School of Nursing Handbooks, 1952-1971. Handbooks contain Honor code of the School of Nursing, overview of program and facility regulations, and guidelines for nursing student conduct.

• School of Nursing Yearbooks, 1947-1954. Under the title "Biopsy", a joint medical and nursing student yearbook was produced from 1947-1949. Nursing students produced their own yearbook under the titles "The Fluroscope" in 1951, "The Frozen Section" in 1952, and "The Lamp" from 1953-1954 (Copies are available at the Eleanor Crowder Bjoring Center for Nursing Historical Inquiry). In more recent years, content related to students in the School of Nursing can also be found in the general undergraduate yearbook, titled Corks & Curls.