Anita Newcomb McGee

ANMcGee

Anita Newcomb McGee
Born	November 4, 1864 Washington, D.C., U.S.
Died	October 5, 1940 Washington, D.C., U.S.
Nationality	American
Occupation	Physician
Known for	Founder of the Army Nurse Corps

Anita Newcomb McGee (November 4, 1864 – October 5, 1940) was an American physician and founder of the Army Nurse Corps. She played a significant role in the development of nursing in the United States and was instrumental in organizing nurses during the Spanish-American War.

Early Life and Education

Anita Newcomb McGee was born in Washington, D.C., to Simon Newcomb, a renowned astronomer, and Mary Caroline Hassler Newcomb. She was educated at private schools and later attended Vassar College, where she graduated in 1885. She then pursued medical studies at the Columbian College of Arts and Sciences, now known as George Washington University, earning her medical degree in 1892.

Career

After completing her medical degree, McGee specialized in gynecology and practiced medicine in Washington, D.C. She became involved in the Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR) and was appointed as the chair of the DAR Hospital Corps in 1898.

Spanish-American War

During the Spanish-American War, McGee was appointed as the Acting Assistant Surgeon General, making her the only woman to hold such a position at that time. She was responsible for selecting and organizing nurses to serve in the war, which led to the establishment of the Army Nurse Corps in 1901. Her efforts ensured that trained and qualified nurses were available to care for soldiers, significantly improving the quality of medical care.

Later Life

After the war, McGee continued to advocate for the professionalization of nursing. She traveled to Japan in 1904 to assist with nursing efforts during the Russo-Japanese War. McGee also wrote extensively on nursing and medical topics, contributing to the advancement of the field.

Legacy

Anita Newcomb McGee's contributions to nursing and military medicine have had a lasting impact. The Army Nurse Corps remains a vital part of the U.S. military, and her work laid the foundation for the professionalization of nursing in the United States.

See Also

• Army Nurse Corps
• Spanish-American War
• Daughters of the American Revolution
• George Washington University
• Russo-Japanese War