Since 2023, the Eccles Health Sciences Library has employed 3 University of Utah Department of History students to assist Elaine Thornton, Assistant Director for the History of Health Sciences, with historical projects and research.
One student, Emma Webb, researched the history of the Jarvik heart and the first artificial heart transplant. Emma also graduated from the University and is now employed with the America West Center and the Utah State Historical Society.
Alex Milton, a Master’s student, and Cathy Gilmore, a PhD student, are currently engaged in professional-level work that includes researching oral history subjects and collecting and transcribing interviews, creating historical exhibits.
Alex Milton is processing Physician Assistant Program papers and creating a digital exhibit based on some of his findings in the collection. He will graduate in May with a Master of Arts in History, with an emphasis on Public History.
The PA Program papers were donated by Don and Kathy Pedersen, who also funded the graduate student internship to process these papers. Their generous donation will make this material available to researchers right away, influencing historical research for many years to come. We are so thankful for their generous gift.
Cathy Gilmore is researching oral history candidates for the Healing Hearts and Hands: Women in the Health Sciences oral history project. She has conducted two oral histories and will conduct a few more before the semester ends. She will also create a digital exhibit focused on the Department of Human Genetics.
Image Credits in order of appearance:
Featured Photo of Alex Milton organizing files in the History of Medicine Room, taken by Hanna Colm, March 2025.
Robert K. Jarvik with the Jarvik-7 Artificial Heart, courtesy of Spencer S. Eccles Health Sciences Library, University of Utah.
Alex Milton Organizes Files in the History of Medicine Room, taken by Hanna Colm, March 2025.
Medical Genetics Lab in the George and Dolores Eccles Institute of Human Genetics, courtesy of Spencer S. Eccles Health Sciences Library, University of Utah.
