In memory of Audrey N. Bell, RN

AORN Journal,  Feb, 2006  

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AORN past President Audrey N. Bell, RN, died from heart and lung failure on Monday, Sept 26, 2005, in Wichita Falls, Tex. Bell, an AORN member for more than 40 years, served as President from 1967 to 1969. She also served on the AORN Board of Directors from 1962 to 1966 and as Vice President from 1966 to 1967. In her presidential address at the 1969 AORN Congress, Bell defined the practice of professional nursing as being involved in care, cure, and coordination, explaining that a truly professional OR nurse constantly strives to improve patient care.

Bell graduated from the Parkland Hospital School of Nursing, Dallas, where she started her nursing career. She was the supervisor of the OR at Children's Medical Center of Dallas for many years and was the OR supervisor there when President Kennedy's body was brought in after his assassination in 1963.

Bell completed postgraduate study in OR nursing at the Graduate Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia. She was a clinical associate professor of OR management, Department of Surgery, at the University of Texas Southwestern Medical School at Dallas. She wrote many articles and made national and international presentations.

After retiring from nursing, Bell volunteered for many years at the American Red Cross and the Wilbarger General Hospital Auxiliary, Dallas. Recently, the Wilbarger General Hospital Auxiliary dedicated the Audrey N. Bell Pavilion and Memorial Garden in her honor.

Services for Bell were held in Vernon, Tex, in September 2005. The AORN Board of Directors and staff members express their sincere condolences to Bell's family members and to those who worked closely with her during her long career. Donations in Bell's honor may be sent to the AORN Foundation, 2170 S Parker Rd, Suite 300, Denver, CO 80231 or made by calling Nancy Harbin, AORN Foundation senior project manager, at (303) 755-2676 x 366.

COPYRIGHT 2006 Association of Operating Room Nurses, Inc.
COPYRIGHT 2008 Gale, Cengage Learning