Florida Public Health Oral History Project
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Interviewer
Prather, E. Charlton
Publication Date
2-19-2016
Date
1997-09-23
Abstract
Audrey L. Ryals (1926 – 2011) served as public health nurse for the Gasden County Health Department in Florida for over 40 years and retired as director of nursing. In this oral history interview, Mrs. Ryals recalls her career as a rural public health nurse and explains her service to the indigent, elderly, and migrant populations of Gasden County, Florida. She explains the organization and operation of the county health department and the effects of several legislatively mandated reorganizations. She describes her work in prevention and treatment of public health issues and the role home and school visits play in program delivery. Mrs. Ryals also details the work of the rural public health nurse, including immunization administration, sex education, and screenings for vision, hearing, and dental issues. Finally, she laments changes in public health nursing, especially the removal of the community-embedded public health nurses and the shift away from family-centered nursing.
Keywords
Public health, Public health nurses, Rural nursing, University of South Florida
Holding Location
University of South Florida
Language
English
Media Type
Oral histories, Online audio
Format
Audio
Identifier
C53-00029
Recommended Citation
Ryals, Audrey L., "Audrey L. Ryals Oral History Interview" (2016). Florida Public Health Oral History Project. 59.
https://digitalcommons.usf.edu/fl_public_health_ohp/59
Rights Statement
