Background
Aydelotte, Myrtle Kitchell was born on May 31, 1917 in Van Meter, Iowa, United States. Daughter of John Jay and Larava Josephine (Gutshall) Kitchell.
educator consultant nursing administrator
Aydelotte, Myrtle Kitchell was born on May 31, 1917 in Van Meter, Iowa, United States. Daughter of John Jay and Larava Josephine (Gutshall) Kitchell.
Bachelor of Science, University Minnesota, 1939; Master of Arts, University Minnesota, 1947; Doctor of Philosophy, University Minnesota, 1955; postgraduate, Columbia University Teachers College, summer 1948.
She served as Chief Executive Officer of the American Nurses Association, director of nursing for the University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics and the first dean of the school"s nursing program She was the first female academic dean at Iowa. Aydelotte was named a Fellow of the American Academy of Nursing in 1976 and was designated a Living Legend by the same organization in 1994.
As a baccalaureate-educated new nurse, she was able to enter a hospital position as a head nurse for two years.
During World World War II, Aydelotte served in the Army Nurse Corps and was stationed in Italy and Africa. Upon returning from the war, she taught at the University of Minnesota while pursuing graduate study.
Aydelotte was the director and dean of nursing at the University of Iowa beginning in 1949. She completed a Doctor of Philosophy from Minnesota in 1955.
During her tenure as dean, Iowa had transformed its nursing program from a three-year hospital-based program to a four-year academic program
She was the first female academic dean at Iowa. A few years later, Aydelotte took a research position at the Veterans Administration hospital in Iowa City while maintaining her position at the university. She became the nursing director of the university"s hospitals and clinics in 1968.
She retired from her academic and hospital positions in 1976.
Aydelotte served as Chief Executive Officer of the American Nurses Association from 1977 to 1981. Aydelotte was honored as a Fellow of the American Academy of Nursing in 1976.
She was honored as a Living Legend by the organization in 1994, the first year that the academy awarded that designation. An endowed research professorship for doctoral students was established in Aydelotte"s name at the University of Iowa in 1993.
Aydelotte was married to William O. Aydelotte, a University of Iowa professor and National Academy of Sciences member who twice chaired the school"s history department, from 1956 to his death in 1996.
She moved to Rochester, New York after her retirement. She died there on January 7, 2010.
Member, vice president Iowa City Library Board, 1961-1967. Member Johnson County Board Health, 1967-1970. Member of advisory commission on family living courses Iowa City Board Education, 1970-1972.
Served with Army Nurse Corps, 1942-1946. Member American Nurses Association, Institute Medicine, American Academy Nursing, Sigma ThetaTau (research committee 1968-1972).
Married William O. Aydelotte, June 22, 1956. Children— Marie Elizabeth, Jeannette Farley.