| Oncology Nursing History Center

Connie Henke Yarbro Oncology Nursing History Center Digital Collections

The Connie Henke Yarbro Oncology Nursing History Center digital collections contains hundreds of digital objects including photographs, textual documents, 3D objects, sound recordings, and moving images, with new items frequently added. Items that are in the public domain, or for which we have permission from the copyright holder, may be viewed on our Digital Collections Portal. Items with limited access due to donor restrictions, copyright status, or privacy considerations are described online and viewable in our reading room by appointment.

Terms of Access

Access and use of the Center’s digital collections are subject to the Terms of Use, which are available here: https://www.ons.org/legal-notices/terms-of-use

Top level collections

Edith Wolf collection

2024-01-30

Janet Louise Lunceford photographs, 1944-1975

2024-02-28

Jeanne Quint Benoliel collection

Jeanne Quint Benoliel (December 9, 1919 – January 23, 2012) served as a military nurse early in her career, then went on to conduct a longitudinal study of women's experiences one year following a mastectomy in 1961. Jeanne was a pioneer in nursing research and was pivotal in the development of the nurse researcher. Her later research focused on the influence of life-threatening illnesses on patients, families, and healthcare providers.

2024-04-23

Josephine Craytor collection

2024-02-08

Katherine Nelson collection

From MS 1: Early History Nursing Pioneers collection

2024-01-05

Renilda Hilkemeyer collection

Renilda Estella Hilkemeyer (July 29, 1915 - June 10, 2006) was a pioneer in the specialty of oncology nursing. She was the first director of nursing at the University of Texas M.D. Anderson Hospital and Tumor Institute in Houston, and served in this role from 1955-1977. She was then promoted to assistant to the president of M.D. Anderson until her retirement in 1984. Renilda was also a pioneer in developing on-site continuing education courses in cancer nursing at Ellis Fischel State Cancer Hospital in Missouri, and established a Foreign Exchange Nurse Visitor Program to provide classroom and clinical training for nurses outside of the United States. She represented cancer nursing through key roles at the American Cancer Society, National Cancer Institute, and National Institutes of Health. Renilda received an honorary doctoral degree, Doctor of Public Service, in 1988 from St. Louis University in Missouri. She was also the first recipient of the Distinguished Merit Award for National and International Contributions from the International Society of Nurses in Cancer Care. Other awards include the American Cancer Society (ACS) Distinguished Service Award, the ACS National Nursing Leadership Award, and the Oncology Nursing Society (ONS) Distinguished Service Award. Renilda was one of the advisors of the Oncology Nursing Society in the days of its formation. Information compiled from "In Memoriam" (https://www.ons.org/pubs/article/227836/download) and "It Took Courage, Compassion, and Curiosity" (2001)

2024-07-15

Rosalie Peterson photographs, c. 1910s-1961

2024-03-04

Virginia Barckley collection

Virginia Barckley (November 19, 1911 - January 15, 1993) worked as a visiting nurse in public health and was the National Nursing Consultant for the American Cancer Society in 1961. She was also a supporter and advisor for the Oncology Nursing Society at its inception.

2024-02-13