Florida Public Health Oral History Project

Interviewee

Audrey L. Ryals

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Interviewer

E. Charlton Prather

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

Extent

01:34:45; 58 page transcript

Subject: geographic

Gasden County (Fla.)

Language

English

Media Type

Oral histories

Format

Digital Only

Identifier

C53-00029

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Rights Statement

In Copyright