Renowned nurse and educator, Claire M. Fagin, passed away on January 16th at the age of 97. Fagin was a pioneer in the nursing profession, making significant contributions as a clinician, researcher, educator, and advocate. She was also one of the first women to lead an Ivy League institution, serving as the president of the University of Pennsylvania.
Throughout her career, Dr. Fagin had a profound impact on the nursing field. She conducted research to improve patient care, developed innovative baccalaureate and doctoral programs to educate future clinicians, and transformed the University of Pennsylvania’s nursing school into a leading institution for research and training. She also served as president of the National League for Nursing and advised the World Health Organization.
Dr. Fagin was a vocal advocate for nurses and nursing research. She believed that nurses were not mere assistants to doctors but rather independent and valuable members of the healthcare team. Her work helped change the perception of nurses and highlighted their expertise and contributions.
One of Dr. Fagin’s most significant accomplishments was her role in transforming nursing education. Previously, nurses received technical training through hospital diploma programs. However, Dr. Fagin pushed for nurses to have a science-based education at colleges and universities. This change led to the standardization of bachelor’s degrees for nurses and increased the number of nurses with advanced degrees.
In the late 1960s, Dr. Fagin gained national recognition for her research on “rooming in,” a clinical practice that allowed parents to stay with their hospitalized children. At the time, most hospitals had strict rules that prevented parents from being with their children during their hospital stay. Dr. Fagin’s research showed the importance of parental presence for children’s well-being, leading to nationwide rule changes. Today, 24-hour visiting is common in American hospitals.
As the dean of Penn Nursing, Dr. Fagin oversaw numerous advancements in nursing education and research. She established the first nursing doctorate program in the Ivy League, required all faculty to have doctorates, and expanded research efforts. Dr. Fagin’s leadership transformed Penn Nursing into one of the nation’s top-ranked institutions.
Dr. Fagin’s success led her to be appointed as the interim president of the University of Pennsylvania in 1993. She was praised for her ability to ease tensions on campus and engage with students and faculty. Though her term was temporary, her appointment was seen as a milestone for women in leadership positions, especially in higher education.
Claire M. Fagin was born on November 25, 1926, in New York City. She grew up in the Bronx, where her parents ran a grocery store. Despite her father’s hopes for her to become a doctor, Fagin pursued a career in nursing. She was inspired by posters of U.S. Army Nurse Corps during World War II and enrolled in a nursing program at Wagner College.
After graduating, Fagin worked at various hospitals and research institutions, earning her master’s degree in psychiatric nursing from Columbia University. She later obtained her doctorate and joined Lehman College before ultimately joining the University of Pennsylvania.
Dr. Fagin’s contributions to the nursing profession will be remembered for years to come. She was a trailblazer, shaping nursing education, research, and practice, and advocating for the recognition and autonomy of nurses. Her legacy will continue to inspire future generations of nurses and healthcare professionals..
