"The Best Way to Explain It Is to Do It": Ida Cannon and the Professionalization of Medical Social Work During the Progressive Era and the 1920s

Authors

  • Anette Bickmeyer University of Hannover

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.5283/copas.59

Abstract

Ida Cannon (1877-1960) was a pioneer of medical social work in American hospitals. She had a founding role in developing and professionalizing this medical social service. She positioned medical social workers among hospital factions generally hostile to her approach, e.g. the doctors and nurses, but drew on all her political skills in relentless negotiations to maintain the legitimacy of that field in the hospital arena. 

Author Biography

Anette Bickmeyer, University of Hannover

CV 1999 Submitted doctoral dissertation entitled “’The Best Way to Explain it Is to Do It’: Ida Cannon and the Professionalization of Medical Social Work During the Progressive Era and the 1920s“ at the University of Hannover (advisor: Prof. Dr. Maria Diedrich)  1996-99 Doctoral scholarship by the Konrad Adenauer Stiftung 1996-98 Extensive research for doctoral dissertation at the Medical General Hospital (MGH) in Boston 1994 M.A. in English/American Studies and History, University of Hannover (M.A. thesis: “Vom Helden zur Berühmtheit: Die Charles A. Lindbergh Rezeption in der amerikanischen Presse, 1927-1930“) 1989-90 Student of the Humanities at McMaster University, Ontario, Canada from 1989-90 supported by American Studies scholarship from DAAD (German American Exchange Service) Focus of Research Cultural Studies, American History (early 20th century), Women’s Studies

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How to Cite

Bickmeyer, Anette. “‘The Best Way to Explain It Is to Do It’: Ida Cannon and the Professionalization of Medical Social Work During the Progressive Era and the 1920s”. Current Objectives of Postgraduate American Studies, vol. 1, Dec. 2011, doi:10.5283/copas.59.

Issue

Vol. 1 (2000)

Section

Articles

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