Jane Delano

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Jane Delano

Jane Delano (March 12, 1862 – April 15, 1919) was a pioneering American nurse and founder of the American Red Cross Nursing Service. She played a crucial role in the development of nursing as a profession and significantly contributed to the field of public health.

Early Life and Education

Jane Arminda Delano was born in Montour Falls, New York. She was the daughter of George and Mary Ann Wright Delano. After her father's death, her mother remarried, and Jane was raised by her mother and stepfather. She attended Cook Academy in Montour Falls and later trained as a nurse at the Bellevue Hospital School of Nursing in New York City, graduating in 1886.

Career

Early Career

After completing her nursing education, Delano worked at various hospitals and gained experience in different areas of nursing. She served as the superintendent of nurses at the University of Pennsylvania Hospital and later at the Johns Hopkins Hospital.

American Red Cross

In 1909, Delano became the chair of the National Committee on Red Cross Nursing Service. She was instrumental in organizing the American Red Cross Nursing Service, which provided trained nurses for military and civilian needs. Under her leadership, the Red Cross Nursing Service expanded significantly, and she established training programs to ensure a steady supply of qualified nurses.

World War I

During World War I, Delano's efforts were crucial in mobilizing nurses for the war effort. She coordinated the recruitment and deployment of thousands of nurses to serve in military hospitals both in the United States and overseas. Her work ensured that the American Red Cross could meet the demands of wartime nursing, providing essential care to soldiers and civilians alike.

Death and Legacy

Jane Delano died on April 15, 1919, in Savenay, France, while on a mission to inspect Red Cross operations. She was buried with full military honors in the Savenay American Cemetery, but her remains were later moved to her hometown of Montour Falls.

Delano's contributions to nursing and public health have had a lasting impact. She is remembered for her dedication to the profession and her role in shaping the American Red Cross Nursing Service. In recognition of her work, the American Nurses Association established the Jane Delano Memorial in her honor.

See Also

• American Red Cross
• Nursing
• Public health
• World War I