Nursing Procession: May 6

On Friday, May 6,  the traditional spring procession honoring Alice Fisher will take place from noon-2 p.m., to the graves of Alice Fisher, famous for her reform efforts in care of the poor and founder of the Philadelphia Hospital School of Nursing (PGH) and Lillian Clayton (chief nurse at PGH, 1915-30) in the historic Woodlands Cemetery. This event has been a tradition since Ms. Fisher’s death in 1888.

This year participants will meet at the Hamilton Mansion inside the cemetery at noon. The participants will be led through the Woodlands by bagpiper William Watson to pay homage to Ms. Fischer and Ms. Clayton. Dr. Karen Buhler-Wilkerson, professor of community health, will give an introduction, followed by commentary on Knowledge and Late 19th Century Nursing Practice by Dr. Patricia D’Antonio, adjunct associate professor of nursing.

Tea will be served after the procession. RSVP by May 4 to: The Barbara Bates Center for the Study of the History of Nursing, (215) 898-4502 or e-mail ehweiss@nursing.upenn.edu.