Blaisdell Medical Library hosts traveling exhibit from the National Library of Medicine
Confronting Violence, Improving Women's Lives highlights nurses role in intimate partner violence prevention and response
A new traveling exhibit from the National Library of Medicine has landed at Blaisdell Medical Library: Confronting Violence: Improving Women’s Lives.
The exhibit, which runs through June 15 and is open to the UC Davis Health community, explores the role nurses played in pushing the medical field to help identify, respond to, and prevent intimate partner violence (IPV), a fight that began in the late 1970s and continues to this day.
Nurses have long been on the frontlines in identifying, supporting, and advocating for victims of domestic violence. This exhibition shines a light on the vital role nurses have played in working to end the cycle of intimate partner abuse.”
Nicole Capdarest-Arest, associate university librarian, research and learning
The BML team selected “Confronting Violence” out of 30 traveling exhibits available from the National Library of Medicine because of its focus on nurse advocacy, a fitting tribute to the education and research taking place at the Betty Irene Moore School of Nursing — a U.S. News & World Report top 25 graduate nursing program — as well as the many nurses who work at the UC Davis Medical Center and clinics throughout the region.
“This exhibit is a year and a half in the making,” said Stevie Jepson, library assistant, reference, circulation and reserves. “We’re happy to finally be able to share it with our community, particularly the hardworking nurses and nursing students.”
As a health science library, BML is committed to supporting and educating the students, faculty, and staff at UC Davis Health and beyond. This exhibit is an opportunity to teach the community about the activism of the past and inspire current and future health care professionals to advocate for their patients throughout their careers.
“To paraphrase author Maya Angelou, ‘Nurses have the opportunity to heal the mind, soul, heart, and body of their patients. Patients may forget their nurse’s name, but they will never forget how they made them feel’,” said Melanie Poloff, access services operations manager. “This exhibit exemplifies this truth, and the transformative effect that nurses have on their communities.”
In addition to hosting the National Library of Medicine exhibit, the BML team has curated a sub-exhibit with information on the current state of IPV prevention and reporting in California using a mix of physical books, online resources, and printed materials.
Related Resources:
- Confronting Violence: Improving Women’s Lives Online Exhibit from NLM, a digital companion created by the National Library of Medicine that includes a digital gallery, education materials, and more.
- UC Davis Center for Advocacy, Resources & Education (CARE) publications, including crisis resource cards, education toolkits, fact sheets, etc. Materials available in Spanish.
- National Domestic Violence Hotline (Call 800-799-7233 OR Text BEGIN to 88788), a crisis line accessible to individuals affected by intimate partner violence. Includes phone, text, and online chat options. Disponible en español: https://espanol.thehotline.org/
The National Library of Medicine produced this exhibition and companion website.