Elizabeth K. Grossman

Dr. Elizabeth K. Grossman 84, of Carmel, Indiana, passed away on September 24, 2007 at her home surrounded by her family and friends. Elizabeth was born in Staten Island, NY, to the late George and Ethel Elliott Korn. She moved to Cleveland, Ohio in 1947 after graduating from Curtis High School in Staten Island at the age of 16. She then moved to Carmel, IN, in 1954. She started her nursing career as a cadet nurse in 1945. From 1947-1953, she was Head Nurse and Supervisor at MacDonald House University Hospital in Cleveland. From 1953-1956, she was a Supervisor in the maternity department at Methodist Hospital, overseeing a staff of 125 and annual births of approximately 6000. From 1959-1962, she was an instructor in the maternity nursing program at DePauw University School of Nursing, Greencastle, IN. From 1959-1988 she worked for Indiana University School of Nursing starting on the Bloomington Campus, eventually moving to the Indianapolis Campus where she held positions as Assistant Professor, Associate Professor and Full Professor. She became Dean of the IU School of Nursing in 1973. In this capacity, she was responsible for four degree programs and continuing education. This program offered nursing instruction on seven campuses with approximately 3200 students and over 200 faculty, making it the largest School of Nursing in the country. She retired in 1988. Elizabeth attended Hunter College in New York City, where she earned Bachelor's degrees in Zoology, Meteorology, & Botany in 1944. Soon afterward, Elizabeth attended Case Western Reserve University, where she earned a Masters degree in Nursing, graduating in 1947, and a second Masters in Nursing Education from Indiana University in 1960. Elizabeth was a professor and chairperson at Indiana University and earned an Obstetrical Associate Practitioner certificate and a doctorate in higher education (Ed.D.) from Indiana University in 1972. During her tenure there, she helped create the only doctoral nursing program in the state and the first clinical nurse specialist program in Indiana. She also initiated distance-education courses for the Master's program. Elizabeth also spent much time in service to the community. She taught mother and child classes at the American Red Cross and conducted weekly groups for pregnant adolescents at the Indiana Girls School. She was also a founder and board member of the Maternity Family League in Indiana and served on the boards of the Julian Center and the Little Red Door Cancer Agency. A few of Elizabeth's additional honors include: • A listing in the 1970 edition of Outstanding Educators • Added to the Curtis High School Hall of Fame • Named to the Hunter College Hall of Fame, 1973 • Received Distinguished Alumni Award from Indiana University School of Nursing Alumni Association, 1974 • Received Distinguished Service Award, Sigma Theta Tau Convention, Washington, DC, 1977 • Recognized for continued support and encouragement of Maternity Family League and the International Childbirth Education Association Convention, 1977 • Received Nurse of the Year Award from the Indiana Citizens' League for Nursing and the Allstate Foundation for dedication and outstanding contribution to the nursing profession and to humanity, 1980 • Selected by Alpha Xi Delta for "Woman of Distinction in Education" award, 1983 • Appointed Civilian National Consultant in Nursing to the United States Air Force, 1983-1987. • Listed in Who's Who of American Women, 1983-84 • Received one of Sigma Theta Tau's first Presidential Awards for Leadership at their National Convention, 1985 • Granted National Consultant Emeritus in recognition of outstanding service • In 2000, Elizabeth received the Sagamore of the Wabash Award from the State of Indiana. Elizabeth was honored for her contributions to the field of medicine, to the Indiana University School of Nursing and to her community. • She is considered a pioneer in the movement to bring fathers into the delivery room. • Elizabeth was also instrumental in bringing the headquarters of the national nursing fraternity, Sigma Theta Tau, to Indianapolis. Because of these achievements, the Indianapolis Star newspaper named Elizabeth one of the ten Hoosiers who made the most difference in health care in the twentieth century, joining such famous names as "Doc" Bowen and Eli Lilly. Elizabeth was a loving and devoted mother and grandmother. She loved people and was very outgoing. She had the ability to see into someone's heart without being confused by the superficial. She was a champion for the underdog. You could not have a better and more loyal friend than Elizabeth Grossman. Elizabeth was preceded in death by Ludwig Reinle, a Merchant Marine lost at sea in 1944, whom she married in 1943. She then married Thomas E. Grossman, Sr., a WWII veteran, in 1952, and he passed away in 1986. She is survived by her son, Thomas Edward Grossman, Jr. and her grandson, Thomas Edward Grossman, III. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held Saturday, September 29 at 11:00 a.m. in St. Elizabeth Seton Catholic Church, of which she was a member. Family and friends are invited to call from 3:00 - 8:00 p.m. Thursday, September 27 and Friday, September 28 at Flanner & Buchanan Funeral Center-Carmel. Burial will be in Oaklawn Memorial Gardens. Memorial contributions may be made to St. Elizabeth Seton Catholic Church, 10655 Haverstick Rd., Carmel, IN, 46033 or to the Grossman-Markel Heritage Fund co IU School of Nursing 1111 Middle Drive Indianapolis, IN 46202.