Joan Swetz Papers

Collection

Identifier: MS-81

Scope and Contents

This collection was compiled by Joan Flood Swetz. The contents document Swetz’s work as a nurse in the Peace Corps at Rumah Sakit Orang Asli, a hospital dedicated to serving the Orang Asli people in Gombak, Malaysia. Included are 110 black and white photographs, 7 color photographs, 11 articles from newspapers and magazines, 2 letters of correspondence, and 23 typed pages of excerpts from Dr. Malcolm Bolton’s journal. Some photographs are accompanied by descriptions by Swetz. Also included are two typed pages written by Swetz. One page includes biographical information on Angan binte Botek, a patient with a cardiac condition who travelled to the United States for possible treatment. The second page includes biographical information about Swetz’s time as a Peace Corps Volunteer Nurse and information about Dr. Bolton’s work at the hospital.

Dates

Creation: 1964-1966

Conditions Governing Use

It is the responsibility of the user to obtain permission to publish from the owner of the copyright (the institution, the creator of the record, the author or his/her transferees, heirs, legates, or literary executors). The user agrees to indemnify and hold harmless Keene State College, its officers, employees, and agents from and against all claims made by any person asserting that he or she is an owner of copyright.

Biographical / Historical

Joan Flood Swetz was raised in suburban Philadelphia, PA. She received her B.S. in Nursing from Villanova University. Swetz was the third Peace Corps nurse to work at Rumah Sakit Orang Asli in Gombak, Malaysia, under the direction of Dr. Malcolm Bolton. She worked at the hospital between October, 1964 and July, 1966. Most patients treated at the hospital were affected by non-acute, chronic conditions, such as tuberculosis, malaria, or parasites. Swetz’s duties were similar to those of Head Nurse, and included supervising the staff, performing special procedures, record keeping, ordering supplies, health and nutrition education, and some work in out-patient clinics. She married Frank Swetz, a Peace Corps Volunteer teaching in Malaysia.

Full Extent

0.5 Linear Feet (Scanned copies of photographs, correspondence, newspaper and magazine articles, and typed excerpts of journal entries.)

Language of Materials

English

Additional Description

Abstract

This collection contains the documents of Joan Swetz, a nurse in the Peace Corps at Rumah Sakit, a hospital dedicated to serving the Orang Asli people in Gombak, Malaysia. The collection contains her papers, clippings, correspondence, photographs, and audiovisual material.