Gertrude Gerrard, RN

Gertrude Gerrard, RN

Nurse Anesthetists

Anesthesia

Nursing school graduation photograph of Gertrude Gerrard, RN, Gerrard was Chief Anesthetist at the Peter Bent Brigham Hospital from 1919 to1947. In the first half of the 20th century the administration of anesthetics was largely entrusted to specially trained nurses. Gertrude M. Gerrard received her nursing training at the Peter Bent Brigham Hospital School of Nursing, graduating with its first class in 1915. She subsequently served with Surgeon-in-Chief, Harvey Cushing, at Base Hospital #5 in France during WWI, then returned to the PBBH. She was trained in anesthesia by the hospital’s first official anesthetist, Dr. Walter Boothby. When Dr. Boothby left in 1919 Gerrard became the Brigham’s Chief of Anesthesia, serving until 1947.

1915

image

digital

This digital copy of the original photograph was donated to the Brigham and Women's Hospital Archives by Gerrard's niece, Sharon Ferland. Ms. Ferland has the original print.