Nursing History-Glenn Abdellah Faye

Glenn Abdellah Faye was born on March 13, 1919 in New York to a father of Algerian heritage and a Scottish mother. He attended high school in New Jersey. On May 6, 1937 she and her brother witness explosion and destruction of the dirigible HINDENBURG the fire killed many people. She once admitted to having no training in what to do in an emergency situation it was there she decided never again to be powerless to assist when people were in need. (Melvin 2004)

She started her nursing program in Fitkin Memorial Hospital School of nursing in Neptune, New Jersey. She received her diploma in 1942. From 1942-1944 she studied chemistry at Rutgers University furthered her studies at the teacher’s College of Columbia University in New York. She received her Bachelor of Science, Masters of Arts and doctorate of education degrees.

She worked as a health nurse at a private school. Her first administrative position was on the faculty of Yale University from 1945-1949. In 1949 she met Lucile Leone who was the first nurse officer and decided to join the public health service. Her first assignment was with the division of nursing that focused on research and studies. They performed studies with numerous hospitals to improve nursing practice.

During the war time, public health service became part of the Navy and she was assigned to work with the Korean people during the Korean War year. As a senior officer, she was alternatively assigned to Japan, China, Russia, Australia and other Scandinavian countries to identify the role of public health service in dealing with various health problems. She was able to assist and initiate in an advisory role, numerous studies in these countries.

She had a forty year career as a commissioned officer in the United States public. Health service where she served as a chief nurse officer she achieved the rank of a two star flag officer. She functioned as deputy surgeon general under the tenure of VAMDC, Everett Koop and after retirement funded...