Behead and Cure by Dr. Susan Armstrong-Reid - Winner of the Lavinia L. Dock Award

Behead and Cure: Humanitarian Work in the Vietnam War by Dr. Susan Armstrong-Reid was awarded the Lavinia L. Dock Award from the American Association for the History of Nursing. The award recognizes outstanding research and writing produced by an experienced scholar in nursing history who submits a book.

Dr. Armstrong-Reid's book captured the multi-disciplinary experiences of women from United States, Britain, Canada and Australia who served civilian medical teams during the Vietnam War. The committee agreed that Behead and Cure was an "engrossing" read and captures the untold stories of women related to their drive for humanitarianism during turbulent international times. Numerous case studies portrayed the challenges during wartime of providing nursing care in context of humanitarianism. The magnitude of ethical issues effecting nurses, and medical teams, to light a deeper, more complex look regarding the challenges of making ethical decisions while providing humanitarian care. Dr. Susan Armstrong-Reid writes with clarity, understanding and depth in scope of humanitarianism. Each case study is explained thoroughly and analyzed with strong articulation of the challenges presented. Behead and Cure successfully advances nursing scholarship through capturing the depth of humanitarianism related to medical care during the Vietnam War. It is a critical read for researchers in nursing, medicine and other health care professionals in advancing knowledge in preparing those delivering care during emergent times.

Congratulations from the History Department!