Gair, Kitty

Catherine Frances Smulling Gair ("Kitty") was born Nov. 4, 1912, in Altoona, PA. She graduated Jefferson Medical College Hospital Training School for Nurses in 1934, received a Public Health Nurse Certificate in 1939, a B.S. Ed. from the Univ. of Penn. in 1943, and a M.S. in Child Psychiatric Nursing from Boston Univ. in 1963. Kitty Smulling came to Alaska in 1942, and worked as a public health nurse for the AK Health Dept. until 1945. From 1946 to 1951 she worked aboard the AK Territorial Health Department vessel, MV Hygiene, which took health care services to rural coastal villages. She worked at the Juneau Health Center (1951-1954) and part time at the Alaska Native Health Service. Gair was a school nurse in Juneau from 1964-1971, retiring in 1971. She was a member of the Alaska State Hospital Advisory Board, member and president of the Juneau Hospital Board, member of the Governor's Advisory Board on Alcoholism, President of the Alaska Nurses Association, District III, board member, secretary, vice president and then president of the Alaska Nurses Association, treasurer and secretary of the Mt. Juneau Chapter, National Society Daughters of American Revolution and Worthy Matron, Nugget Chapter 2, Order of Eastern Star. She published in "Alaska Nurse" and co-wrote "Alaska's Search for a Killer: 1946 -1948 A Seafaring Medical Adventure," describing her experiences on the MV Hygiene. From 1969 to 1972 she edited "Alaska Nurse," "Journal of School Health" and the "Juneau Empire." She died at her Wasilla home in 2002.

From the description of Kitty Gair collection [graphic], ca. 1880-2002 1930's-1980's. (Unknown). WorldCat record id: 54383502