Myrtle Greenfield papers
Collection
Identifier: HHC 58
Scope and Content
This collection documents Myrtle Greenfield's professional career as the Director of the New Mexico Public Health Laboratory for thirty-six years. Included in the collection are correspondence and memorandum pertaining to Greenfield's involvement in the American Public Health Association and the New Mexico Tuberculosis Society as well as personal letters and tax returns. Also included are the research notes and preliminary chapters as well as a manuscript and numerous letters concerning her writing of A History of Public Health in New Mexico. In addition, the collection also contains the original receipts for the book's publication. The collection includes numerous photographs and newspaper clippings documenting the highlights of Greenfield's lifelong commitment to public health.
Dates
- 1918-1967
Language of Materials
English
Access Restrictions
The collection is open to the public and available for research.
Copy Restrictions
Limited duplication of print materials allowed for research purposes. User is responsible for all copyright compliance.
Biography or History
Myrtle Greenfield (1884-1967) was born in Sabetha, Kansas on April 8, 1884. After receiving her B.A. and M.S. concurrently from the University of Kansas in 1911, Myrtle Greenfield worked as a bacteriologist. In 1920, Greenfield left her job at the United States Public Health Service to accept the position of Director at the New Mexico Public Health Laboratory. At the time, the Laboratory was a single room in the Chemistry Department of the University of New Mexico, but under Greenfield’s supervision grew into a modern facility that processed half a million specimens a year. During her thirty-six years of service as Director, Myrtle Greenfield witnessed the New Mexico Public Health Laboratory transform from a department of one to a fully functioning facility complete with a mobile laboratory.
During her career, Myrtle Greenfield was active in numerous associations. Greenfield was a member of the American Public Health Association, Society of American Bacteriologists, and the State and National Tuberculosis Associations. Greenfield was Chair of the American Public Health Association and also served as Director for the State and National Tuberculosis Association. In 1953, Myrtle Greenfield received an Honorary Degree from the University of New Mexico. After her retirement from the New Mexico Public Health Laboratory in 1955, the newly christened Dr. Greenfield began work on her book A History of Public Health in New Mexico. Published in 1962 by the University of New Mexico Press, the book details the conception of public health in the state. Even after her retirement Greenfield remained active in public health issues and attended the annual meetings of the American Public Health Association and reported back to the department. Myrtle Greenfield died in March, 1967.
During her career, Myrtle Greenfield was active in numerous associations. Greenfield was a member of the American Public Health Association, Society of American Bacteriologists, and the State and National Tuberculosis Associations. Greenfield was Chair of the American Public Health Association and also served as Director for the State and National Tuberculosis Association. In 1953, Myrtle Greenfield received an Honorary Degree from the University of New Mexico. After her retirement from the New Mexico Public Health Laboratory in 1955, the newly christened Dr. Greenfield began work on her book A History of Public Health in New Mexico. Published in 1962 by the University of New Mexico Press, the book details the conception of public health in the state. Even after her retirement Greenfield remained active in public health issues and attended the annual meetings of the American Public Health Association and reported back to the department. Myrtle Greenfield died in March, 1967.
Extent
1 box
Abstract
This collection represents the professional achievements of Myrtle Greenfield (1884-1967). Among the topics covered are Greenfield's directorship of the New Mexico Public Health Laboratory, her involvement in the American Public Health Association and the New Mexico Tuberculosis Society as well as her history of public health in New Mexico.
Separated Material
Greenfield, Myrtle. A History of Public Health in New Mexico, Albuquerque: University of New Mexico Press, 1962.
Greenfield, Myrtle. "The Effect of Environment on Normal Tuberculosis Guinea Pig," American Review of Tuberculosis, Vol. 24, no. 6, December 1931.
Greenfield, Myrtle. "The Effect of Environment on Normal Tuberculosis Guinea Pig," American Review of Tuberculosis, Vol. 24, no. 6, December 1931.
General
Contact Information
- UNM Health Sciences Center
- Health Sciences Library and Informatics Center, MSC09 5100, 1 University of New Mexico
- New Mexico Health Historical Collection
- Albuquerque, NM 87131-0001
- Phone: (505) 272-8873
- Fax:
- Email: archivist@salud.unm.edu
- URL: http://hsc.unm.edu/library/spc
General
Processing Information
The collection originally was processed by Janet Johnson. Danielle Scott reorganized the materials.
- Title
- Inventory of the Myrtle Greenfield Papers,1918-1967
- Status
- Approved
- Author
- Processed by Danielle Scott
- Date
- ©2006
- Language of description
- English
- Script of description
- Code for undetermined script
- Language of description note
- Finding aid is in English
Revision Statements
- Monday, 20210524: Attribute normal is missing or blank.
Repository Details
Part of the UNM Health Sciences Library and Informatics Center Repository
Contact:
MSC 09 5100
1 University of New Mexico
Albuquerque New Mexico 87131 United States
505-272-2311
hsc-archivist@salud.unm.edu
MSC 09 5100
1 University of New Mexico
Albuquerque New Mexico 87131 United States
505-272-2311
hsc-archivist@salud.unm.edu