Celebrating Museum of Health Care Volunteers

In honour of International Volunteer Day, the staff at the Museum wrote a few words about the importance of volunteers to our organization. 

Our volunteers are extremely important to our staff. From cataloguing and research to education programs, they help us with a variety of tasks and contribute to the daily operations of the Museum. We are grateful to have such a wonderful group of people support our work and improve the overall efficiency of the Museum of Health Care. Thank you to our volunteers for helping us preserve and share healthcare history!

Museum of Health Care Summer Experience. Part 2

*the following guest blog was written by Maddi McKay, 2012 Curatorial Assistant at the Museum of Health Care. Our thanks to the Young Canada Works in Heritage Organizations program (Canadian Museums Association) for their support in the creation of Maddi’s position!

When I was seven years old, my grandmother brought me to visit the Museum of Health Care. I was working on a school project that required me to visit all the Kingston Area museums, and in the conclusion of this project I clearly stated that the museum I’m now fortunate enough to work for was my favourite.

Maddi in her office. July 2012

Working at the Museum of Health Care became, and continues to be, my dream job. I can scarcely believe that someone actually pays me to read and write about topics I find interesting, as well as gain absolutely invaluable experience in artefact handling and exhibit development. From researching the basics of respiration and vaccination for an upcoming exhibit, to creating a “Twitter”-themed pamphlet on the medical history of the First World War, the amount of knowledge I have gained here is absolutely staggering. Beyond the job itself, however, the people who work tirelessly to maintain this establishment have proven to be the best coworkers I could have hoped for. In particular, the curator (and my supervisor) Pamela Peacock has been far and away the best boss, teacher, and co-worker I have ever reported to, and I don’t hesitate to say that I learned more about researching, writing, museum work, history, and life from her than any university course could possibly have taught me.

Museum of Health Care Summer Experience. Part 1

Beatrice testing our new program “The Biology, Control and Prevention of Waterborne Diseases”

*the following guest post is written by the Museum of Health Care’s 2012 Public Program Assistants Danielle Ruffalo and Beatrice D’Angelo

As Public Programs Assistants, we provided tours to visitors, led education programs for schools in May and June and camps in July and August, and helped develop new programs for the Museum to run this upcoming year. Working at the Museum provided us with the opportunity to gain professional experience and develop practical and personal skills.

As Queen’s University students entering into our fourth year in History and Philosophy, respectively, it was beneficial to gain extensive research and writing experience. We learned how to write entertaining and educational programs while still being mindful of our different audiences and age groups. This job also provided us with the opportunity to work collaboratively. As Public Programs Assistants we worked as a team in conjunction with the Museum Manager to accomplish tasks and take on new projects. We also had the incredible resource of working and learning from all of the Museum staff. It was a unique opportunity to work with historical artefacts in the Museum’s collection, and learn about them first hand from the Curator.

Canada’s First National Mental Health Program, by Linda

Modern mental health care is a rapidly progressing field of study. It is also something that is constantly evolving and reshaping itself as the very complex human mind is navigated. Psychology is now one of the most popular masters degree programs in many countries and more labs are continuing to open. However, while this wave sweeps some coasts and countries, other places are ignoring the idea and passing it off as a luxury or myth while others, like Canada, are working to begin implementing programs to help the growing number of citizens affected by mental illness.

Outlook for Nursing Grads in 2012, by Carolyn

Introduction by Pamela Peacock, Curator, Museum of Health Care

Nursing has sometimes been called ‘the Caring Profession.’  Developed out of maternal care for sick family members, expectations of females’ natural tendency to nurture others, and the activities of female benevolent societies that sought to aid the less fortunate in their communities, throughout much of the 19^th century nurses were women who provided comfort to the ill.  They did so by feeding and bathing patients, giving medicine, and providing a smile, while also sweeping and dusting the sick-room, laundering sheets and bed clothes, and preparing food for the patient. 

After the Crimean War, though, nursing underwent a shift.  Along with many other medical fields, nursing became professionalized.  Training became more standardized, and practitioners were held to standards overseen by professional boards and bodies.  Nursing schools were created through hospitals, allowing nurses very hands-on practical training throughout their education.  By the 1970s many hospitals transferred the training of nurses to universities and colleges. 

Your contributions

Zenith diplomat hearing aid, 1950-59 (1988.10.4)

What does health care mean to you?

We welcome your guest blog posts, stories,  and thoughts about health care–from any perspective you’re passionate about. You’re invited to email us your contributions that:

> are respectful of others (remember that all ages will see your post, and anyone can comment on it),

> aren’t commercial or self-promotional,

> are 500 words or less, clear, and concise,

> relate to health or health care,

> can appeal to the general public, who may or may not have specialized medical knowledge, and

> include image credit information and caption, if accompanied by an image

Guest-written articles will be reviewed and approved by Museum Staff, and may require revisions before posting on the blog.  While we’re always interested in what guest bloggers have to say, please note that the Museum of Health Care doesn’t endorse or recommend any products, medical advice, or services, and that the views and opinions of authors expressed on the “Your contributions” section are their own. The accuracy, completeness and validity of any statements made within this section are not guaranteed. We accept no liability for any errors, omissions or representations. The copyright of this content belongs to the author and any liability with regards to infringement of intellectual property rights remains with them.

Thanks for reading. We look forward to hearing from you!