Influence of Dr. H. Loeb, Dean of the School of Medicine, 1914-1924
Dr. Hanau
W. Loeb
In the 1920's nursing was an apprentice type system that was eventually abandoned because specialized professional technical education was in demand. Recognizing the trend, Dr. Loeb, in 1921, communicated with nurse leaders of the time seeking their advice about his idea of forming a school of nursing at Saint Louis University (St. Louis, Missouri, United States of America). Among those contacted was Adelaide Nutting, Dean of the Teachers College at Columbia University, and the first Professor of Nursing in the world. He asked her advice regarding his plans to form a school of nursing at Saint Louis University, and her assistance in his search for a director for the proposed school. She encouraged Dr. Loeb's efforts and expressed her support commenting that "only good can come from a sounder more thorough student preparation in classes fundamental to nursing." She could, however, offer no help in Dr. Lobe's search for a director.
Dr. Loeb also contacted Sara E. Parsons, president of the National League for Nursing Education, asking her to review his proposed curriculum for a collegiate school of nursing, and to make recommendations about it. At the time a survey on nursing education was being sponsored by the Rockefeller Foundation. Miss Parsons advised Dr. Loeb to wait for the results. The survey, best known as the Goldmark Report, was the study of public health nursing and the preparation of personnel for the field. The survey results provided information that became vital to collegiate schools of nursing.
Encouraged by the support of these prominent nurse leaders Dr. Loeb continued his search for a director for the proposed school and in 1924 he died without realizing his dream. The results of his inquiries and efforts into the state of nursing education at the time served as a starting point for his successor.
