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Major Jackie Brewe was interviewed by Jocelyne Thibault-Prevost as an assignment for the University of Alberta course Nursing 550, Dr. Shirley Stinson, instructor. The interview took place in Ottawa on November 19, 1992 and comprises 3 audiotapes for a total of 4 hours, 6 minutes. Major Jackie Brewe describes her family and early life and her decision to join the RCAF after nursing school. She discussed the relationships and lines of command with medical staff, nursing staff, aircrew and ground-based officers. She describes the types of aircraft used for medical missions, the improvisations in equipment and facilities that had to be made, because no aircraft are specifically designated for Aeromedical Evacuation. She has been Staff Nurse in the Base Hospital at CFB Greenwood, Senior Flight Nurse with 413 Squadron (setting up the Aeromedevac service, including teaching, supervising and "check-riding" the nurses and medical assistants), and at some bases, School Nurse for the children of Base residents. In 1978 Major Brewe was posted to CFHE Lahr, West Germany, where she was Head Nurse of the Medical/ICU/Psychiatric Ward. A secondary duty was OIC for all Aeromedevac equipment. Her most memorable experiences are described; the most trying for Major Brewe were the emergency or mercy missions involving sick children. A summary of major Brewe's biography is included with the transcript of her interview. The textual materials include AIRMEDEVAC procedure manuals, samples of air logs, 2 photographs of staff and Major Brewe receiving her USAF wing, and copies of published articles and press clippings describing the work of AIRMEDEVAC.

Two of Laura Attrux's best friends in Slave Lake, Alberta, Helen Getzinger and Stella Boisvert, were interviewed on November 6, 1993 by Moira Bazin. The interview was part of an assignment for the University of Alberta course Nursing 550, Dr. Shirley Stinson, instructor. The fonds consists of one audiotape cassette and 5 cm. of textual material, which includes Ms Basin's essay based on the interview, biographical material, tributes and eulogies for Laura Attrux, photocopies of photographs illustrating her work as a public health nurse, and a photocopy of the Minute book, 1950-1971, of the Slave Lake District Nursing Association. The Association was responsible for providing a building to serve as home, office, and clinic for the district nurse. When the nursing service was disbanded the residual funds were used to establish the Laura Attrux Scholarship for local students. The audiotaped interview records the memories of two women who assisted Miss Attrux in her nursing duties and became her closest friends during her years in northern Alberta. Their recollections cover the activities of the community and their families, in both of which Miss Attrux was closely involved. Their stories reveal the dedication and professionalism of a remarkable nurse, for whom they had both admiration and great affection.

Mrs. Hibbert was interviewed by Jean Bellstedt on November 16, 1992. The fonds includes Mrs. Hibbert's description of the developments in pediatric rehabilitation care at the Glenrose Hospital since it opened for patients in 1964 (she and the other staff members had begun preparing the newly-renovated building to receive the patients in 1963). A pilot project was initiated which became the Glenrose School Hospital in 1966. Special education and orientation for the staff was provided, but it became clear that higher education was needed as well as research in new procedures and complex treatments for handicapped children. Programs were developed at the University of Alberta, Grant MacEwan Community College and Athabasca University, which had an effect on the staff members coming to the Glenrose. Changes in health care policy in Alberta and their effects on nursing practice are discussed. Supplemental to the interview and Ms. Bellstedt's essay are copies of press clippings on the work of the Glenrose, 1964-1973, a job description for the Supervisor of the Emotionally Disturbed Children's Unit, and organization charts for the Hospital and the Nursing Department.

Pamela Allan recorded her interview with Yvonne Chapman on May 31, 1994. Ms Chapman came to Alberta in 1970 to be Employee Relations Officer with the AARN. The position was that of "basically a bargainer" in wage and working conditions negotiations with Alberta hospitals, and of working for recognition of nurses as professionals. Ms Chapman describes the growth of unionism in the profession, the decision of the AARN to cease being a bargaining agent for the union; the separation of the Association and the United Nurses of Alberta in 1977; strikes in Alberta and Saskatchewan; legislative changes; and her views on the future of professional unions in Alberta. A timed summary of the audiotape is included in the textual material.

Mrs Vera Gingras reviews her days at a student at Holy Cross Hospital, Calgary and her work experience at St Michael's Hospital, Lethbridge and St. Vincent's Hospital, Pincher Creek. Nursing practices during the wartime shortages of 1944-1945 are described. Mrs Gingras records her observations on the changes in medical/nursing/patient relationships, in medication and procedures, and in nurses' professional and union activities, that have taken place during her career.

Title taken from the contents of the fonds.

Miss Gourlay was interviewed by Lynne French in Calgary, Alberta, on December 30, 1993. She discusses her career as a staff nurse and nursing educator, her professional involvement with AARN (President, 1985-1987), and her views of the political situation of nurses in Alberta. Since 1990 she has taught a series of workshops to nurses interested in entering independent practice. She notes that there are barriers to such practice: although public health nurses have operated in the community for many years, they do so as employees, and there is no Federal or Alberta legislation that permits nurses to have direct access to patients as independent health care providers. Miss Gourlay considers the ways such practice might be put into effect, beginning with public awareness of the nurses's role in community health.

Lynne French interviewed Miss Robinson on January 28, 1994, for the oral history project of the AARN History of Nursing Professional Practice Group. Miss Robinson discusses her basic and advanced academic education in nursing. She spent most of her career in association with the Calgary General Hospital School of Nursing, and speaks of the problems in the administration of both the Hospital and the School in the early 1950s. These were resolved by new administrators, Dr. Lloyd Bradley and Miss Gertrude Hall and the position of the nursing students improved as a result of their changes. In 1959, changes in regulations at all three levels of government put severe limitations on the School's budget -- nurses were blamed for the high costs of medical service -- and once again the administration of the School and the Hospital was restructured. Miss Robinson speaks of Miss Hall's resignation as Director of Nursing and her encouragement for her instructors to go on to advanced degrees in their profession. She describes the closing of the CGH School of Nursing and her transfer to the University of Calgary.

Miss Eggen was interviewed by Lynne French on January 20, 1994. She discussed her training as a nurse and her career as an Army nurse, and as a public health nurse for the Victorian Order of Nurses, the Calgary Board of Health and the Federal government's Indian Health Services. She notes advances and changes in training and practice and the development of homecare services. She compares the inter-agency cooperation among charities and agencies she observed in Montreal with the competitive activities of service groups in Calgary.

Miss Street was interviewed by Sheila Zerr for the Registered Nurses Association of British Columbia and the summary of the audiotape was prepared originally by Deb Coulter for the AARN Archives. The interview took place on September 29, 1987. Miss Street reviews her career as a nursing teacher and administrator in Montreal, Winnipeg, Vancouver and Calgary. She names and pays tribute to the nursing leaders in Canada during her career, especially Ethel Johns and Gertrude Hall. Developments in nursing education throughout the country are discussed, particularly the impact the Weir Survey of nursing education curricula [1932] and the contributions of Gertrude Hall.