Biographical Sketch

Karen A. Ballard is currently the president of the New York State Nurses Association. Ballard has held many different positions throughout her career. She was an adjunct professor at the Lienhard School of Nursing. She was a guest lecturer at Molloy College, instructor at the City College of New York. She was the director of the New York State Nurses Association Practice and Government Affairs Program from 1984-1987, the director of the New York State Nurses Association Nursing Practice and Services Program from 1987-1999, the director of the New York State Nurses Association Special Projects from 1999-2005. She is a member of the National Council on Patient Information and Education and a chairperson of the Nurses Working Group, Health Care Without Harm. She was a clinical nurse specialist at the New York Hospital Cornell University Medical Center and was a staff member at the Bellevue Hospital at one time. She received the Honorary Recognition Award from the New York State Nurses Association in 2005.

Scope and Contents Notes

This collection contains some of the personal and professional papers and memorabilia of Karen Ballard. It includes professional papers such as publications in which Karen Ballard was involved in the research and creation, lectures and notes relating to speeches and presentations that she gave as well as awards received by Karen Ballard.

The collection also includes a few personal items. These include a painting on wood by Peter Max, a publicity video for Bellevue Hospital, a signed poster from the 1982 ANA Convention in Washington DC- rally for final support of the ERA, and a signed publicity poster honoring Karen Ballard with the ANA 2004 Honorary Award: Barbara Thomas Curtis Award.

Series Descriptions

Series 1: Artifacts and Memorabilia
 This small series contains the artifacts and memorabilia of the collection. It includes a teddy bear given to Karen Ballard by Francene Wetherby of the Oklahoma Nurses Association to provide comfort to the nurses of NYS after 9/11/01, a painting on wood by Peter Max, a publicity video for Bellevue Hospital, a framed “Tradition of Service” which consists of 6 stamps created by the USPS to honor nurses from 1955, 1948, 1973, 1961, 1981, and 1976, a signed poster from the 1982 ANA Convention in Washington DC- rally for final support of the ERA and a signed publicity poster honoring Karen Ballard with the ANA 2004 Honorary Award: Barbara Thomas Curtis Award
Series 2: Small Manuscripts
 This series contains books and personal papers of Karen Ballard. It also contains such items as the papers of graduate students, as well as many of the presentations and addresses given by Karen Ballard.
Series 3: Professional Papers
 This series includes lectures and notes created by Karen Ballard, awards given to Ms. Ballard, as well as photographs and gifts received from patients.