Claire Fagin facts for kids

Claire Mintzer Fagin (born November 25, 1926 – died January 2024) was an important American nurse and teacher. She was also a leader in universities and a helpful advisor. Claire Fagin earned degrees from Wagner College, Columbia University, and New York University. All these schools are in New York City.

Claire Fagin strongly believed that patients and their families should have a say in their care. She helped change hospital rules about visiting hours. Because of her work, she is seen as a founder of "family-centered care." This means focusing on the whole family when someone is sick. She also made history as the first woman to lead an Ivy League university.

About Claire Fagin's Life and Work

Early Life and Education

Claire Fagin was born in New York City. Her parents, Mae and Harry Mintzer, had moved there from other countries. They hoped she would become a doctor, like her aunt. But Claire chose to study nursing instead. She went to Wagner College for her first degree. Later, she earned her highest degree, a Ph.D., from New York University.

Her Ph.D. research looked at how parents could stay with their children in the hospital. This idea was called "rooming in." Her work helped change how hospitals thought about parents visiting their sick children.

Leading Nursing Programs

In 1970, Claire Fagin started working at CUNY/Lehman College in New York. She was hired to create a new nursing department. This department focused on family-centered nursing care. It also taught nurses about the psychological side of patient care.

In 1977, she moved to the University of Pennsylvania. There, she became the dean of the School of Nursing. She led the school until 1991. After that, she studied nursing care for older people. She worked as a scholar at the Institute of Medicine. This is part of the United States National Academy of Sciences.

First Woman President of an Ivy League University

In 1993, Claire Fagin became the interim president of the University of Pennsylvania. She held this important role from July 1993 to June 1994. This made her the very first woman to serve as president of an Ivy League university.

After her time as president, she continued her research on nursing care for older adults. From 2000 to 2005, she directed a program called "Building Academic Geriatric Nursing Capacity." This program helped train more nurses to care for older people. It was coordinated by the American Academy of Nursing in Washington, D.C..

Awards and Honors

Claire Fagin received many awards and honors for her work. She was a respected professor and dean at the University of Pennsylvania. She was given 15 honorary doctoral degrees. These are special degrees given to people who have achieved great things. She also received the Honorary Recognition Award from the American Nurses Association.

In 2006, the nursing education building at the University of Pennsylvania was renamed Claire M. Fagin Hall. This was done to honor her many contributions. She was also an Honorary Fellow of the UK Royal College of Nursing. In 2010, she was added to the American Nurses Association Hall of Fame. Claire Fagin was also a member of several important groups. These included the National Academy of Medicine and the American Academy of Nursing.

Family Life

Claire Fagin was married to Samuel Fagin. They had two sons together. Samuel Fagin passed away in December 2019. Claire Fagin herself passed away in January 2024, at the age of 97.

See also

In Spanish: Claire Fagin para niños

• List of Living Legends of the American Academy of Nursing