Jennie Edmundson Memorial Hospital Foundation history

In 1886, Jennie Edmundson Memorial Hospital, the first hospital in Council Bluffs, Iowa, opened in a five-room cottage at 312 Williams St

By 1887, the hospital had outgrown its cottage, so the WCA leased the house owned by P.J. McMahon, M.D., on the northwest corner of Sixth Avenue and Ninth Street.

Nursing would become a respected career after the hospital's School of Nursing opened in 1889.

1891 - First Diploma Granted by the Women’s Christian Association to Leona Johnson.

The WCA purchased the land at the hospital's present location in 1905, and construction began in September of that year.

1906 - Nine nurses graduated from Council Bluffs - General Hospital, 9th Street & 6th Avenue.

Jennie Edmundson Memorial Hospital (JEH) opened its doors on February 12, 1907.

1918 - Mary E. Nesbitt listed as Director on ANA list of schools.

1920 - Pauline Martignoni listed as Director on ANA list.

1924 - First full-time instructor employed – Dorothea Ely, Director of Nursing.

1931 - Isabella W. White, Director.

1932 - Louise Holmes, Director.

1935 - Graduates of program not granted reciprocity in Nebraska; Sena Brandt, Director.

1939 - Sarah Langman, Director.

1940 - Jessie Carol Wortman, Director of Nursing; sciences taught at Omaha University.

1952 - Four (4) year program established in connection with University of Omaha; the Psychiatric Nursing Affiliation went to Knoxville.

1959 - NLN – Full accreditation granted.

1967 - JEH School of Nursing was one of the first in the area to adopt the academic year, enabling students to have summer vacation similar to general education.