Papers of Gail Kuhn Weissman, EdD, RN, FAAN, a nurse executive and administrator who has held senior nursing positions at institutions such as the Montefiore Medical Center, the Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center, Mount Sinai Hospital, and the Massachusetts General Hospital, among others. She has also served nationally and internationally as a nursing consultant. Her education was completed at the Vanderbilt School of Nursing and Teachers College, Columbia University.
Finding Aid for the Gail Kuhn Weissman Professional Papers (MC23)
ACCESS/RESTRICTIONS: | This collection is open to the public by appointment. No restrictions. |
ACQUISITION: | The documents in this collection were donated to the Bellevue Alumnae Center for Nursing History, Center for Nursing at the Foundation of New York State Nurses by Gail Kuhn Weissman in multiple accessions between 1998 and 2006. |
COPYRIGHT: | Please consult the repository for information about duplication or publishing of any materials from this collection. |
DATES: | 1972-2000 (bulk 1991-1999) |
EXTENT: | 3.5 cubic feet, including books, 35 mm. slides, and overhead transparencies |
INDEX TERMS: | LCSH: Columbia University, Teachers College; Commmunication in Nursing; Massachusetts General Hospital, Department of Nursing; Montefiore Hospital and Medical Center; Mount Sinai Hospital (New York, NY), Department of Nursing; Nurse administrators; Nurse-physician joint practice; Nurses-Job satisfaction; Nurses-Suppply and demand-United States; Nursing; Nursing-Authorship; Nursing-effect of managed care on; Nursing ethics; Nursing informatics; Nursing models; Nursing-Research-Methodology; Nursing schools’ Nursing service-Personnel managment; Nursing-Study and teaching-United States; Nursing-Standars; Partners HealthCare; Vanderbilt University.
ATT: administrators; journals (periodicals); color transparencies; color slides; lectures; nurses, presentations (communicative events); speeches (documents); workshops (seminars) |
PREFERRED CITATION: |
Gail Kuhn Weissman Manuscript Collection (MC 23), Bellevue Alumnae Center for Nursing History, Center for Nursing at the Foundation of New York State Nurses, Guilderland, NY |
Table of Contents
- Biographical Sketch
- Scope and Contents Note
- Series Descriptions
- Box and Folder List
Biographical Sketch
Gail Kuhn Weissman Ed.D., RN, FAAN (1939- ) led the nursing profession while it confronted one of the most diruptive forces in patient care history: managed health care. A cymanic and highly-respecte4d nurse, nurse administrator, nurse educator, people person and much sought-after speaker, Dr. Weissman confronted the papdigm shifts in health care early and head on. H Her lectures, presentations, speeches and publications were meant to inspire her profession, of which she was fiercely proud, to take an active part in creating its. future.
Born in Sioux City, Iowa in 1939, Gail Kuhn received her Bachelor of Science in Nursing from Vanderbilt University in 1960, her MA in Nursing from teachers College, Columbia University in 1963, and her EdD from the Nurse Executive Doctoral Program at Teachers College 1988.[1] She also obtained a Certificate in Health Systems Management from Harvard University in 1979.
Although her papers do not indicate when she first started to work at Montefiore Hospital and Medical center in New York City, by February 1972 she was Director of Nursing. There, she had direct administrative responsiblity for the Department of Nursing, Intensive Care Unit, Emergency Room, In-service Education, Nursing Task Force, Operating Room, Recovery Room, Physician Associates, Renal Dialysis and Transplant and Special Programs.
By the end of 1972, she had moved to the Mount Sinai Medical Center, also in New York City. By 1981, she was Vice-Poresident of Nursing, as well as an assitant professor in the Department of Health Care Management, and Dean fo the School of Continuing Education for Nursing. During her tenure at Mount Sinai, Dr. Weissman published extensively in professional journals on such nursing topics as revising discharge forms to improve continuity of care; nursing-doctor collaboration; patient-focused care; clinical career pathways’ nursing information technology; nursing ethics; nurse professionalis; building the nurisng image; and the experience of newly-hired RNs at large urban medical centers. Management issues such as nurse stoppage contingency plans, high school mentoring programs, nurse recruitment curse satisfaction, nurse retention, and managing a multicultural/multiethnic workforce were also the subjects of her articles. In her role as a nurse educator, she traveled to Chile in 1991 where she delivered a series of classes on nursing in the United States.
In January of 1994, after 22 years at Mount Sinai, Dr. Weissman made a major career change by moving to Bost and becoming Associate General Director, Senior Vice President, Patient Care Services, and Chief Nurs Executive at the Massa chusetts General Hospital. Throughout her career, Dr. Weissman was a much sought-after lecturer and presenter, but in Boston, her output was especially prodigious. She delivered countless presentations on important nursing issues of the day such as advanced practice nursing, univeral room design, patient care restructuring, the paradigm shifts in health care and the effects of managed care on teach hospitals.
In March of 1994, just months after starting her new position, Massachusetts General Hospital and Brigham and Women’s Hospital merged to form the Partners HealthCare System in Boston. As she continued at Partners, Dr. Weissman’s lectures, publications, and reports grew progressively more corporate in content. She wrote two business plans, delivered a presentation on the corporate model to plastic surgery nurses and chaired several task forces and committees which produced substantive reports on patient care information systems, patient and family-focused care, hospital air quality, and latex allergies.
In March 1998 Dr. Weissman returned to New York City to become Executive Director of Nursing Services and the Enid A. Haupt Chair in Nursing at Memoiral Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center in New Yor,, New York, where she managed 900 nurses and directed patient care and clinical research. Improving the quality of life for cancer patients by expounding such issues as cancer fatigue was one of her foremost concers. Throughout her career, Dr. Weissman was a strong proponenet of professional development and nurse professionalism. While at Sloan-Kettering she implemented the latter by elevating Sloan-Kettering’s nurses from hourly to salaried staus.
Her role as an educator occaisionally extended beyond the walls of the medical institution at which she was employed. She taught a class titled “Management of Nursing Services” at the Graduate School of Management and Urban Professions at the New School of Scoial R4esearch in 1982 and at New York University’s Leadership Training Institute for Nurse Managers in 1992.
The recipient of numerous awards and honors, Dr. Weissman was inducted as a Fellow into the American Academy of Nursing (FAAN) in 1983, received the prestigious Jacobi Medallion for Distinguished Achievement and Extradordinary sErvice to the Hospita, Mount Sinai Medical Center in 1989, the Distinguisehd Service Alumni Award, Vanderbilty University in 1989, and the Nursing Education Aluni Association of Teachers College 1993 Nursing Service Award, among many others.
She was amember of the Sigma Theta Tau International Honor Society of Nursing, the Nursing Education Alumni Association, Teachers College, Columbia University, the American Hospital Association, American Nurses Association, and the American Management Association. Her professional activities included serving on the advisory and planning committees of the New York State Legislature’s Nurse of Distinction Conference and Award, and the planning committee of the Institute for Nursing Leaders Program at the Pace University Lienhard School of Nursing. She was also a revier for Nursing Leadership Forum.
Words from a speech she once wrote in honor of a fellow nursing leader, may perhaps describe Gail Kuhn Weissman as well: “She was always seeing the possiblities, exploring the outer boundaries, and finding a way despite numerous challenges. She was able to see the bigger picture, but never lost sight of the small details, and most importantly, the people within the organization.”
Her hobbies were skiing, tennis, scuba diving and motor cycling.[2]
Scope and Contents Notes
This collection documents the professional activities and achievements of Gail Kuhn Weissman, EdD, RN, FAAN and captures a tulmultuous period in nursing history.
Throughout her career, Dr. Weissman deliviered countless lectures and persentations, first while at Mount Sinai, and then even more prolifically while she was Associate General Director, Senior Vice President, Patient Care Services, and Chief Nurse Executive at Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston, Massachusetts (1994-1998). The texts, 35 mm. color slides and overhead transparencies of her lectures and presentations are in the collection and carry such titles as “The Employer Perspective: Recruiting Licensing and Orienting Foreign Nurses” (1991), “Health Care Regulation” (1992), “Influencing Physican Behavior to Enhance Clinical Quality & Efficiency” (1993), “Effects of Managed Care on Teaching Hospitals” (ca. 1994), “Advanced Practice Nursing in the Partners HealthCare System” (1995), and “Culturally Competent Patient/Family-Focused Care” (1996). After she returned to New York City as Executive Director for Nursing Services and the Enia A. Haupt Chair in Nursing at Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center (1998-200), her focus turned to cancer treatment reflected in titles such as “Center Fatigue Initiative Roundtable” (1998) and “Improving Quality of Life in Cancer Patients Through Effective Symptom Management” (1999). Dr. Weissman’s teaching also reached an interantional audience. She traveled to Chile in 1991 where she delivered a series fo lectures on nursing in the United States, to Russia and Romania in the fall of 1996 as Leader of the Nurse Executives Delegation of the Citizen Ambassador Program, and in 1999, where at Memorial Sloan-Kettering, she mot certainly broadened the perspectives of a class of nursing students visiting from Italy with a presentation on “Nursing in the United States.”
In addition to delivering lectures and rpesentaiton, Dr. Weissman published extensively in professional publications, especially while she was at Mount Sinai Medical Center. “Building the Nursing Image,” “The Staff Development Program of the Mount Sinai Hospital, New Yor,’ and “Physician-Nurse Collegiality in the Medical School Curriculum” are some represntative titles. Also of note are the substantive committee and task force reports she produced while at Massachusetts General/Partners HealthCare such as “Non-acute Care Network development Advisory Committee for Partners HealthCare System, Inc.” (1995) and a business plan from 1997 titled “Concierge By Request” that addressed a “growing need of today’s independent seniors living in apratment buildings.”
Arrangement & Series Descriptions
This collection comprises five series: Series 1. Presentations, Lectures, and Speeches, 1982-1999; Series 2: Professional Articles, Publications and Reports, 1970s-1998; Series 3: Awards and Accolades, 1989-1999; Series 4: Professional Organizations and Activities; 1987-1999; Series 5: Books (The books were relocated to the Research Library, Center for Nursing at the Foundation of New York State Nurses.
Each series is arranged chronologically with the exception of Series 5 (Books) which is arranged alphabetically by author. Series 1 and Series 2 are further divided into three subseries by the name of each medical institution at which Dr. Weissman spent her career.
Series 1: Presentations. Lectures, and Speeches, 1982-1999
Series 2: Professional Articles, Publications and Reports, 1970s-1998
Correspondence, conference programs and class bulletins that document Dr. Weissman’s numerous professional memberships and extensive service on planning and advisory committees, such as an awards application she submitted on behalf of a nurse she supervised; correspondence whith journal editors she review articles for, and with authors for whose book she was interviewed. Also includes papers that document Dr. Weissman’s role as an educator outside the confines of the medical centers at which she was employed, such as the Graduate School of Management and Urban Professions at the New School for Social Research, the Institute for Nursing Leaders at the Lienhard school of Nursing at Pace University, and the Leadership Training Institute for Nurse Managers at New York University.
Series 5: Books
This series includes two different types of materials: Publications of the New York State Nurses Association from 2002-2003 and letters of thanks from the Association for Ann Lewis’ donations over the years. The collection also contains a framed certificate honoring her on her 90th birthday for her dedication to nursing.
Box and Folder List
Folder:
- “The Employer Perspective: Recruiting, Licensing, and Orienting Foreign-Educated Nurses.” Presentation to National Council of State Boards. February 24, 1991. [The box of slides that accompanies this presentation is at the end of subseries 1]
- “The Future is in our Hands.” New York State Legislature’s Nurse fo Distinction Conference and Award. May 7, 1991
- Presentation in Chile: “Administration of Nursing Services in the United States,” 1991
- Presentation in Chile: “Trends in Nursing and Healthcare,” 1991
- Presentation in Chile: “What’s Changing in Nursing Department Organizations?,” 1991
- Presentation in Chile: “Managing Change in Complex Organizations,” 1991
- Presentation in Chile: “Financial Management of Nursing Services,” 1991
- Presentation in Chile: “Recruitment and Retention of Nurses,” 1991
- Presentation in Chile: “Research in Nursing,” 1991
- Presentation in Chile: “Marketing in Nursing,” 1991
- Presentation in Chile: “Compensation,” 1991
- “Nurse Executive Presention: VP’s Presentation at TC [Teachers College],” 1992
The following eight slideboxes of 35 mm. slides are housed at the end of subseries 1″
- “Recruiting, Licensing, and Orienting Foreign-Educated Nurses.” February 24, 1991. (23) of a total of (39) 35 mm. color slides. [1 of 2 plastic slide boxes. Text of presentation that accompanies slides is in Series 1, Subseries 1, folder 1]
- “Recruiting, Licensing, and Orienting Foreign-Educated Nurses.” February 24, 1991. (16) of a total of 35 mm. colors slides. [2 of 2 plastic slides boxes. Text of presentation that accompanies slides is in Series 1, Subseries 1, folder 1]
- “Managing the Multicultural Multiethnic Workforce.” VPs Presentation at Pace University. March 1992. (20) of a total of (45) 35 mm. color slides [1 of 2 slide boxes]
- “Managing the Multicultural Multiethnic Workforce.” VPs Presentation at Pace University. March 1992. (25) of a total of (45) 35 mm. color slides [2 of 2 slide boxes]
- “VPs. Presentation to NYU Leadership on Health Care Regulations,” May 1992. (29) of a total of (43) 35 mm. color slides. [1 of 2 plastic slide boxes]
- “VPs. Presentation to NYU Leadership on Health Care Regulations,” May 1992. (14) of a total of (43) 35 mm. color slides. [2 of 2 plastic slide boxes]
- “International Exchange Ed Program,” ca. 1992. (30) 35 mm. color slides. [1 plastic slide box]
- “Why Have a Retention Program?,” ca. 1992. (7) 35 mm. color slides. [1 plastic slide box]
Subseries 2: Massachusetts General Hospital/Partners HealthCare 1994-1998
13. “Changing Health Care Paradigms: Issues for the Partners HealthCare System,” ca. 1994
14. First Patient care Services Executive Retreat. “Changes in the Delivery of Health Care and Strengthening Preparedness for Change Across Patient Care Services.” ca. 1994
15. “Meeting the Nursing Challenges of the Paradigm Shifts in Health Care,” ca. 1994
- Fifth Annual Diversity Awareness Forum, Gebruary 2, 1996
- Partners Nurse Executive Council, June 14, 1996
- Culturally Competent Patient/Family Focused Care, August 9, 1996
- Chief Nurse Executive Emerging Corporate Network Responsiblities, ca. 1996
- Effects of Managed Care on Teaching Hospital, probably October 1996
- Influencing Physician Behavior to Enhance Clinical Quality and Efficiency, ca. 1996
- The Merits of Patient Focused Care, ca. 1996
- Orientation to Massachusetts General Hospital patient Care Restructuring Project Team, ca. 1996
- Patient Care Restructuring Initiave, MTW Training-Kickoff, ca. 1996
- Overview of Case Manag4ment, probably October 1996
- Corporate Model for the Aesthetic Plastic Surgery Nurse. Aesthetic Plastic Surgery Nursing 1996: A New York Experience, October5, 1996
- Regenerative Organization, circa 1996
- Vertically Integrated Care Networks, ca. 1996
Subseries 3: Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center 1998-1999
14. Cancer Fatigue Awareness Day, April 2, 1998 and Cancer Fatigue Initiative Roundtable, Distinguished Faculty Program, August 81, 1998
1. Professional Articles, Publications and Reports 197–September 1985
2. Professional Articles, Publications and reports, October 1985-November 1993
Subseries 2: Massachusetts General Hospital/Partners HealthCare 1994-1997
3. Nursing Administration: Creating Evolutionary Shifts in Leadership
Box 4
Series 3: Awards and Accolades, 1989-1999
Dr. Weissman was the receipient of the following awards and honors
- Fellow fo the American Academy of Nursing (FAAN), 1983
- Jacobi Medallion for Distinguished Achievement and Extraordinary Service tot he Hospital, Mount Sinai Medical Center, 1989
- Award for Excellence in Nursing, Distinguished Service Alumni Award, Vanderbilt University, 1989
- Nursing Service Award, Nursing Education Alumni Association of Teachers College, 1993
- New York state Nurses Resolution in Recognition of her Effort to Promote Nursing in New York State, 1993
- Nursing Service, Teachers College Nursing Hall of Fame, 1999
Folder:
- Articles and Press Releases about Gail Kuhn Weissman, 1972-1993
- Articles and Press Releases about Gail Kuhn Weissman, 1993-1999
Series 4: Professional Organizations and Activities, 1982-1998
Dr. Weissman was a member of the following professional organizations:
- American Management Association
- American Nurses Association (ANA)
- Council on Graduate Education for Administration in Nursing
- Deans and Directors of Greater New York
- Foundation of the New York State Nurses Association
- Healthcare Information Management Systems Society
- Statewide Advisory Committee, New York State Legislature’s Nurse of Distinction Award
- New York State Nurses Association (NYSNA), District 13
- New York State Nurses Association (NYSNA)
- Nursing Education Alumni Association, teachers College, Columbia University
- Advisory Committee, Project L.I.N.C. (Ladders in Nursing Careers), Robert Wood Johnson Foundation
- Sigma Theta Tau International
Folder:
3. Professional Organizations and Activities, American Management Association, Sigma Theta Tau International
Series 5: Books [On shelf in the Research Library, Center for Nursing]
Anderson, Robert H., ed. The National Distinguished Service Registry in Nursing. Omaha: U.S. Publications, 1988
Burns, Sharon, Ed. Who’s Who in American Nursing, 1993-1994.New Providence: Marquis Who’s Who, 1993
Butcher, Diane, ed. The World Who’s Who of Women. Cambridge: International Biographical Centre, 1988 [cover embossed Gail Kuhn Weissman, RN, FAAN]
Evans, J. M., ed. Five Thousand Personalities of the World. Raleigh: The American Biographical Institute, 1986
Evans, J. M., ed. International Book of Honor. Raleigh: The American Biographical Institute, 1987 [Bookplate states: Imited, Signed and Numbered Collector’s Edition. Gail Kuhn Weissman. Number 139″]
Franz, Jeffrey, ed. Who’s Who in American Nursing, 1990-1991. Administrators, Educators, and Other Nursing Professionals. Willmette: The Society of Nursing Professionals, 1991
Massachusetts General Hospital Institute fo Health Professions Graduate Program in Nursing, Self-Study Report, 1995
Massachusetts Nurses Association. A Guidebook for Nurse Practitioners in Massachusetts,1993
Mezey, Mathy D., and Diane O. McGivern. Nurses, Nurse Practitioners: The Evolution of Primary Care. Boston: Little, Borwn and Company, 1986.
Tiger, Harriet, ed. Who’s Who in America, 1994: Indexes. New Providence: Marquis Who’s Who, 1993
Who’s Who in the East, 1979-1980. Chicago: Marquis Who’s Who, 1979.
Revisions: | |
Gertrude B. Hutchinson | February 27, 2016 |
© 2001-2006 Foundation of the New York State Nurses Association, Inc.
© 2006-2017 Foundation of New York State Nurses, Inc.
Index code: MC23
Finding Guide: