University of Virginia Library

HISTORY

The movement to endow a Chair of Nursing at the University of Virginia—the
first step in the foundation of the School—was launched in the
spring of 1923 by the Graduate Nurses' Association of Virginia. Through
the zealous and praiseworthy efforts of this group of women, the sum of
$50,000.00 was raised and presented to the University. The Chair of Nursing
Education was named in honor of Sadie Heath Cabaniss, Virginia's outstanding
pioneer nurse.

In April, 1928, the first Cabaniss Memorial Professor of Nursing Education
was appointed. The School was then placed under the Department of
Education and organization begun.

Beginning with the academic year of 1928-29, the Cabaniss Memorial
School of Nursing Education has offered courses of university grade for
graduate nurses.