U of G professor emerita Lynn McDonald spoke to CBC Radio’s Fresh Air about Florence Nightingale’s contributions to women’s health care.

With the World Health Organization declaring 2020 the Year of the Nurse and Midwife, the episode looked at Nightingale, one of history’s most famous nurses.

McDonald, a former researcher and lecturer in the Department of Sociology and Anthropology, said Nightingale was one of the first to campaign for better hygiene in hospitals and workhouse infirmaries and to promote public health and disease prevention. She also founded the world’s first nursing school.

One of Canada’s foremost experts on Nightingale, McDonald edited the Collected Works of Florence Nightingale – a 16-volume set of the legendary nurse’s letters, books and articles.

She is also co-founder of the Nightingale Society, which promotes its namesake’s legacy.