Elizabeth Gordon Fox

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Elizabeth G. Fox - LOC (cropped)

Elizabeth Gordon Fox (1873–1958) was an influential American nurse and public health advocate. She played a significant role in the development of public health nursing in the United States and was a pioneer in the field of nursing education.

Early Life and Education

Elizabeth Gordon Fox was born in 1873 in New York City. She pursued her nursing education at the New York Hospital Training School for Nurses, where she graduated in 1895. Her early experiences in nursing laid the foundation for her future contributions to public health.

Career

After completing her training, Fox worked at several hospitals in New York before becoming involved in public health nursing. She joined the Henry Street Settlement, a pioneering organization in public health nursing founded by Lillian Wald. At the Henry Street Settlement, Fox worked alongside other notable nurses such as Mary Brewster and Lavinia Dock.

In 1902, Fox was appointed as the Superintendent of Nurses at the New York City Department of Health. In this role, she was responsible for overseeing the city's public health nursing services. She implemented several innovative programs aimed at improving community health, particularly in underserved areas.

Contributions to Public Health

Elizabeth Gordon Fox was a strong advocate for the integration of public health principles into nursing practice. She believed that nurses should be trained not only in clinical skills but also in community health and preventive care. Her work at the New York City Department of Health included the establishment of school health programs, maternal and child health services, and tuberculosis control initiatives.

Fox was also involved in the development of nursing education standards. She was a member of the National Organization for Public Health Nursing (NOPHN) and contributed to the establishment of educational curricula that emphasized public health.

Later Life and Legacy

After retiring from her position at the New York City Department of Health, Fox continued to be active in the field of public health. She served as a consultant to various health organizations and continued to advocate for the importance of public health nursing.

Elizabeth Gordon Fox passed away in 1958, leaving behind a legacy of dedication to public health and nursing education. Her contributions have had a lasting impact on the field of public health nursing and continue to be recognized today.

See Also

• Public health nursing
• Lillian Wald
• Henry Street Settlement
• National Organization for Public Health Nursing