Virginia Minnich Oral History

Interviewee

Virginia Minnich

Interviewer

Estelle Brodman, PhD

Files

Summary

Virginia Minnich was interviewed by Estelle Brodman on March 25, 1981 for approximately 77 minutes.

Scope and Content

Minnich discusses her undergraduate studies at Ohio State University and her graduate studies at Iowa State College. She describes research work she did in college with Carl V. Moore on serum iron metabolism, and his later offer of employment as a researcher at the Washington University School of Medicine in 1938. Minnich details some of her research on iron metabolism, anemias and purpura, as well as her work setting up laboratories in Thailand and Turkey. She also discusses her work creating audio-visual teaching aids, teaching evening classes, and changes in the Washington University School of Medicine over her 40-plus year career.

Biographical Information: Interviewee

Virginia Minnich (1910-1996) was born January 24, 1910, in Zanesville, Ohio. She graduated with a bachelor's degree from Ohio State University in 1937 and earned a master's degree from Iowa State College in 1938. Minnich's expertise was in hematology and nutrition. She studied iron metabolism, platelet function, abnormal hemoglobins, thalassemia and morphology/hematology. Her work led to the discovery of hemoglobin E and the elucidation of the glutathionine synthesis pathway. She also created wide-ranging audiovisual programs on all aspects of blood and bone marrow, which have been used worldwide. Minnich spent her entire medical career at Washington University School of Medicine, starting as a hematology research assistant in 1939. In 1958, she was promoted to research associate. She was elevated to full professor in 1974. Minnich spent 1964-65 in Turkey on a Fulbright Award. She was a member of the Foundation for Clinical Research, the American Society of Hematology and the International Society of Hematology.

Biographical Information: Interviewer

Estelle Brodman, PhD (1914-2007) served as an Assistant librarian for reference service at the National Library of Medicine, 1949-1961. She became the Library Director and Professor of Medical History at Washington University School of Medicine in 1961, and served in these positions until her retirement in 1981. Brodman served as the Editor of the Bulletin of the Medical Library Association from 1947-1957, and as President of the Medical Library Association, 1964-1965.

Interview Date

1981-03-25

Collection Identifier

OH029

Length

Approximately 1 hour and 17 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

Virginia Minnich Oral History, OH029, 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.