Nursing
A new exhibit is showcasing the history and present reality of men in nursing in the United States healthcare industry.
The Men in Nursing exhibit, which will be in the lobby at the Rochester Regional Health College of Health Careers from January through April, is a partnership between Rochester Regional Health Diversity, Equity & Inclusion and Rochester Regional Health Archives.
Both nationally and at Rochester Regional, men are underrepresented in nursing. Men play an essential role in the field of nursing and have a wide range of opportunities available to them.
In an effort to address this disparity, the College of Health Careers has been reaching out to attract additional candidates for its nursing programs. The result of the outreach is an increase in the proportion of men joining its incoming classes – a trend that is expected to continue.
The Men in Nursing exhibit explores career paths of different Rochester Regional employees who began their careers as nurses, discusses the history of the nurse’s cap, and features photographs of nurses who worked at local hospitals during the 20th and 21st centuries.
There are several men highlighted in the exhibit. Among them:
The noted American poet and essayist is among the men on display. Whitman’s spirit of care shone through his nursing of war veterans during the U.S. Civil War. The effect it had on him can be found in his writings.
Currently serving as of president of United Memorial Medical Center in Batavia, Ireland began his career in healthcare as a nurse.
Noted as the first man to graduate from the Rochester General Hospital School of Nursing in 1953, Montgomery is recognized in the exhibit for his pioneering spirit.
One of the more recent nursing graduates is also featured in the exhibit. Alberto Diaz graduated from the Isabella Graham Hart School of Practical Nursing in June 2021 and made his own cap for graduation – which is also on display.
"Nursing allows me to open up with encouragement and confidence to love and respect people, and I think it is important that all men can find a space to do that," Diaz said.
The Rochester Regional Health College of Health Careers is located on Skyview Centre Parkway in Irondequoit.
