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Obituary: Geraldine M. Piper, MPH
from the association
ADA REPORTS
Obituary
Geraldine M. Piper, MPH
T
he American Dietetic Association has learned of the death of Geraldine M. Piper, MPH, ADA president from 1964-65. She was 87 years old and lived in Pleasant Hill, TN. Piper, known to everyone as Geri, grew up on a small farm in St Marie, IL, with two sisters and a brother. She attended Eastern Illinois State College, where she received a Bachelor of Education degree in home economics in 1938. After graduation, she taught high school classes in Illinois and Kentucky. While teaching in Kentucky at a mission school, Piper also served as food service supervisor and dormitory housemother. This experience was the beginning of her interest in the dietetics profession. She completed her dietetic internship at King County Hospital in Seattle, WA, and then accepted an administrative position at the hospital. In 1946, Piper decided to pursue a master’s degree in public health nutrition at the University of Tennessee. When her training was completed, she took her first public health position at the Oklahoma Health Department. This position led her to Washington, DC, where she accepted a commissioned officer’s position in the US Public Health Service (USPHS). This job gave her the opportunity to participate in major projects related to the diabetes control program, home care services, Meals on Wheels, and training programs for nutrition professionals. During her career, she traveled to more than 45 countries representing the USPHS. A former student, Mary Ann Farthing, PhD, said, “Ms Piper was the most important professor in my professional life. She was friendly, understanding of student issues, and made you feel good about what you were doing. She helped you take the next step
0002-8223/04/10410-0018$30.00/0 doi: 10.1016/j.jada.2004.08.005
1606
Geraldine M. Piper in the learning process no matter what the circumstances.” Piper first began to work with the American Dietetic Association as the Community Nutrition section chair. In this role, she guided the development of “Combating Food Misinformation,” a paper that discussed more than 200 food misconceptions and how to communicate them to consumers. In 1958, she was Speaker of the House of Delegates. In that year, delegates dealt with issues such as broadening the ADA membership, encouraging advanced study for dietetics professionals, and a dues increase. The Association saw an increase in public relations to promote the profession, including the release of the film View from the Mountain and an exhibit at the Smithsonian Institution in the nation’s capital. Piper became the 40th ADA presi-
Journal of the AMERICAN DIETETIC ASSOCIATION
dent in 1964. Her term focused on legislative developments, such as Medicare, the Health Professions Educational Assistance Act, and welfare extended services. In her address to the members at the 1965 annual meeting she said, “The membership is the most important asset to our Association and the foundation, which supports it. The contributions each of us make to the profession of dietetics in our daily work, and volunteer work, are essential to the strength and life of our Association” (1). Piper was recognized by many organizations for her professional achievements. She received the ADA Medallion Award, the USPHS Distinguished Service Medal, and the Arch of Achievement and Century Leader awards from the University of Tennessee, Knoxville. But Piper’s life was not only focused on work. Long-standing friend Mildred Kaufman, MS, said, “She was a great cook, hostess, and frustrated interior decorator who continuously rearranged furniture in her living room. She loved searching for antiques and was an adventurous traveler.” Piper left a wonderful legacy for the ADA members who have chosen public health work. She defined practice roles, administered grants that directed education, and mentored practitioners through her insight, wisdom, and concepts of leadership. Family and colleagues will miss her. Memorial donations can be sent to the Berea College Art Department in Berea, KY, or to the Geraldine Piper Scholarship Fund at the University of Tennessee Development Office, P2 Andy Holt Tower, Knoxville, TN 37996. Reference 1. Cassell JA. Carry the Flame: The History of the American Dietetic Association. Chicago, IL: American Dietetic Association; 1990:305.
© 2004 by the American Dietetic Association
ADA REPORTS
Obituary
Geraldine M. Piper, MPH
T
he American Dietetic Association has learned of the death of Geraldine M. Piper, MPH, ADA president from 1964-65. She was 87 years old and lived in Pleasant Hill, TN. Piper, known to everyone as Geri, grew up on a small farm in St Marie, IL, with two sisters and a brother. She attended Eastern Illinois State College, where she received a Bachelor of Education degree in home economics in 1938. After graduation, she taught high school classes in Illinois and Kentucky. While teaching in Kentucky at a mission school, Piper also served as food service supervisor and dormitory housemother. This experience was the beginning of her interest in the dietetics profession. She completed her dietetic internship at King County Hospital in Seattle, WA, and then accepted an administrative position at the hospital. In 1946, Piper decided to pursue a master’s degree in public health nutrition at the University of Tennessee. When her training was completed, she took her first public health position at the Oklahoma Health Department. This position led her to Washington, DC, where she accepted a commissioned officer’s position in the US Public Health Service (USPHS). This job gave her the opportunity to participate in major projects related to the diabetes control program, home care services, Meals on Wheels, and training programs for nutrition professionals. During her career, she traveled to more than 45 countries representing the USPHS. A former student, Mary Ann Farthing, PhD, said, “Ms Piper was the most important professor in my professional life. She was friendly, understanding of student issues, and made you feel good about what you were doing. She helped you take the next step
0002-8223/04/10410-0018$30.00/0 doi: 10.1016/j.jada.2004.08.005
1606
Geraldine M. Piper in the learning process no matter what the circumstances.” Piper first began to work with the American Dietetic Association as the Community Nutrition section chair. In this role, she guided the development of “Combating Food Misinformation,” a paper that discussed more than 200 food misconceptions and how to communicate them to consumers. In 1958, she was Speaker of the House of Delegates. In that year, delegates dealt with issues such as broadening the ADA membership, encouraging advanced study for dietetics professionals, and a dues increase. The Association saw an increase in public relations to promote the profession, including the release of the film View from the Mountain and an exhibit at the Smithsonian Institution in the nation’s capital. Piper became the 40th ADA presi-
Journal of the AMERICAN DIETETIC ASSOCIATION
dent in 1964. Her term focused on legislative developments, such as Medicare, the Health Professions Educational Assistance Act, and welfare extended services. In her address to the members at the 1965 annual meeting she said, “The membership is the most important asset to our Association and the foundation, which supports it. The contributions each of us make to the profession of dietetics in our daily work, and volunteer work, are essential to the strength and life of our Association” (1). Piper was recognized by many organizations for her professional achievements. She received the ADA Medallion Award, the USPHS Distinguished Service Medal, and the Arch of Achievement and Century Leader awards from the University of Tennessee, Knoxville. But Piper’s life was not only focused on work. Long-standing friend Mildred Kaufman, MS, said, “She was a great cook, hostess, and frustrated interior decorator who continuously rearranged furniture in her living room. She loved searching for antiques and was an adventurous traveler.” Piper left a wonderful legacy for the ADA members who have chosen public health work. She defined practice roles, administered grants that directed education, and mentored practitioners through her insight, wisdom, and concepts of leadership. Family and colleagues will miss her. Memorial donations can be sent to the Berea College Art Department in Berea, KY, or to the Geraldine Piper Scholarship Fund at the University of Tennessee Development Office, P2 Andy Holt Tower, Knoxville, TN 37996. Reference 1. Cassell JA. Carry the Flame: The History of the American Dietetic Association. Chicago, IL: American Dietetic Association; 1990:305.
© 2004 by the American Dietetic Association