Washington University School of Medicine Oral Histories
Betty Davies Oral History
Interviewer
Bryan Sisk MD, MSCI
Files
Download Interview Transcript [PDF] (230 KB)
Summary
Betty Davies was interviewed by Brian Sisk on June 19, 2019 for approximately one hour and 35 minutes for the Pediatric Palliative Care Oral History Project.
Scope and Content
Dr. Betty Davies begins with several stories about her first dying patients as a young professional and the gaps in both her education and the humanity about how death was handled in the hospital setting. Dr. Davies felt that cultivating dialogue about death, dying, and bereavement was a very important “human activity,” that was being neglected. Early into her career, Dr. Davies connected with other likeminded professionals who supported her while she endeavored to give trainings and workshops. She then recalls her work in developing Canuck Place as well as her contributions to research, programs, and the international knowledge base for pediatric palliative care. Dr. Davies explores some of the challenges she faced in her career as well as her perspective on how the field has grown. She concludes with her dream for seamless and continuous care to be available to children in need of pediatric palliative services.
Biographical Information: Interviewer
Betty Davies, RN, BScN, MN, PhD., devoted her fifty-year career to the international development of death, dying, and bereavement practices in pediatrics. Dr. Davies is an Adjunct Professor and Senior Scholar University of Victoria School of Nursing and Professor Emerita of Family Health Care Nursing at the University of California, San Francisco. She is a co-founder of Canuck Place Children’s Hospice, the first free-standing pediatric hospice in North America. She has published over 100 articles in refereed journals, been reported in approximately 200 publications, held leadership roles in multiple organizations addressing death, dying, and bereavement, authored over 40 book chapters in addition to 3 books and 6 co-edited books. Dr. Davies has retired twice, and is now officially retired, but continues to be active in research, presenting, and mentoring.
Interview Date
2019-06-19
Collection Identifier
OH154-S08
Length
Approximately one hour and 35 minutes.
Restrictions
Users wishing to publish (in whole, or in part) content taken from the audio or transcript of this oral history interview must request, sign, and return a Statement of Use form to the Becker Archives. For detailed information regarding publication and use of this oral history, contact the Becker Archives (arb@wusm.wustl.edu).
Recommended Citation
Betty Davies Oral History, OH154-S08, Bernard Becker Medical Library Archives, Washington University in St. Louis.
Disclaimer
The Becker Archives provides access to this oral history interview as a record of the past. This interview reflects the attitudes, perspectives, and beliefs of the interview participants, which may reflect outdated, biased, and offensive views and opinions. The Becker Archives does not endorse the views expressed in this interview, which may contain materials offensive to some users.
Notes
Access to the audio recording for this oral history may be obtained via approval of the archivists at Becker Library. Contact the archives for more information (arb@wusm.wustl.edu).