Susan Dimock was not a nurse, but along with Marie E. Zakrzewska, was a physician
instrumental in the founding of early training programs for nurses.
A native of the American South, Dimock was encouraged by Dr. Zakrzewska to attend medical school in
Switzerland. She completed the University of Zurick program in 1871 and spent a year observing
hospitals in Europe. During this time she visited Kaiserwerth and met with Florence
Nightingale in England.
When she returned to the United States in 1872 she was appointed the resident
physician of the New England Hospital for Women and Children which was founded
by Dr "Zak" in 1862. The training of nurses was one of the goals of this
new facility and the first class of pupils was admitted in 1872 with Dr. Dimock guiding
the early program and lecturing on surgical nursing.
Linda Richards was the first to complete
the twelve month program on October 1 of 1873. Mary Eliza
Mahoney, the first trained black nurse in the country, graduated from this school in 1879.
Unfortunately Dr. Dimock died in 1875 while crossing the Atlantic. The New England Hospital
for Women and Children was re-named the Dimock Community Health Center.
Back of Susan Dimock's headstone in Forest Hills Cemetery, Boston.
Source:
Kalisch, B. Kalisch, P. (1995). The advance of American nursing. 3rd edition.
Philadelphia: Lippincott.
AAHN members visit grave of Susan Dimock during the
17th Annual Conference.
Photo by Mary Ellen Doona.
