Mabel A. Wandelt

Mabel A. Wandelt, PhD., RN, FAAN Dr. Mabel A. Wandelt died at the age of 91, on Thursday, November 20, 2008 after a long decline due to Alzheimer's disease. Dr. Wandelt was born on April 13, 1917 in Daggett, Michigan. She received her Diploma in Nursing from Michael Reese Hospital in Chicago in 1938 and a Bachelor of Science in Public Health Nursing from Wayne State University in Detroit, Michigan in 1944. In 1948 she received a Master of Public Health and in 1954 a Doctorate in Education, both at the University of Michigan. From 1938 to 1958, while continuing her education, Dr. Wandelt held a number of nursing positions in different cities including 15 months with the Army Nurse Corps as a 2nd Lieutenant, three years with the Veterans Administration in Washington, D.C., as a specialist in Tuberculosis and Public Health Nursing, and four years as Assistant Chief of Nursing Education at the Veterans Administration Hospital in Kerrville, Texas. In 1958 Dr. Wandelt joined the faculty at Wayne State University as an Associate Professor and later full Professor teaching Nursing Research and doing research. In 1973, Dr. Wandelt moved on to the University of Delaware as an Assistant Dean and Professor of Nursing, serving a year as Acting Dean. In 1977, Dr. Wandelt joined the School of Nursing at the University of Texas at Austin as Professor and Director for Research. In 1982 she retired and became Professor Emeritus at the UT School of Nursing. Dr. Wandelt published prolifically in the fields of nursing education, patient care, quality assurance for nursing care, nursing employment, accurate patient medication dosing, and innovations in nursing education administration. She served as consultant to many universities and public health agencies in the United States and abroad for the development of nursing education and nursing research programs, and the development of audit instruments for measuring the quality of nursing care, most notably in nursing homes. Dr. Wandelt was inducted as a Fellow of the American Academy of Nursing in 1977, and was a member of Sigma Theta Tau, the American Nurses Association, and the National League for Nursing. In 1997, Dr. Wandelt was recognized by American Academy of Nursing as a Living Legend for her many contributions to the profession. Dr. Mabel A. Wandelt was preceded in death by her parents, Albert and Lucy Wandelt, her brother, Russell Wandelt, and sister, Eleanor Caulk. She is survived by her two sisters, Alberta Rasmussen and Lois Burgett, and her many nieces and nephews. She is also survived by her many former colleagues, protégés, and students who honor her memory by pursuing their careers in clinical nursing and nursing research. The family asks anyone wishing to share condolences, that you instead, please join the battle against Alzheimer's disease by making a donation in Dr. Wandelt's name to the Alzheimer's Association. Donate by mail: Alzheimer's Association, 225 N. Michigan Ave., Fl 17, Chicago, IL 60601-7733; or by phone: 1-800-272-3900. Donate online: www.alz.org/join_the_cause_donate.asp Alzheimer's Association is a not-for-profit 501(c)(3) organization. Donations are tax-deductible. Federal tax ID number is 13-3039601.