Biography or History

Myrtle Greenfield (1884-1967) was born in Sabetha, Kansas on April 8, 1884. After receiving her B.A. and M.S. concurrently from the University of Kansas in 1911, Myrtle Greenfield worked as a bacteriologist. In 1920, Greenfield left her job at the United States Public Health Service to accept the position of Director at the New Mexico Public Health Laboratory. At the time, the Laboratory was a single room in the Chemistry Department of the University of New Mexico, but under Greenfield’s supervision grew into a modern facility that processed half a million specimens a year. During her thirty-six years of service as Director, Myrtle Greenfield witnessed the New Mexico Public Health Laboratory transform from a department of one to a fully functioning facility complete with a mobile laboratory.

During her career, Myrtle Greenfield was active in numerous associations. Greenfield was a member of the American Public Health Association, Society of American Bacteriologists, and the State and National Tuberculosis Associations. Greenfield was Chair of the American Public Health Association and also served as Director for the State and National Tuberculosis Association. In 1953, Myrtle Greenfield received an Honorary Degree from the University of New Mexico. After her retirement from the New Mexico Public Health Laboratory in 1955, the newly christened Dr. Greenfield began work on her book A History of Public Health in New Mexico. Published in 1962 by the University of New Mexico Press, the book details the conception of public health in the state. Even after her retirement Greenfield remained active in public health issues and attended the annual meetings of the American Public Health Association and reported back to the department. Myrtle Greenfield died in March, 1967.

Scope and Content

This collection documents Myrtle Greenfield's professional career as the Director of the New Mexico Public Health Laboratory for thirty-six years. Included in the collection are correspondence and memorandum pertaining to Greenfield's involvement in the American Public Health Association and the New Mexico Tuberculosis Society as well as personal letters and tax returns. Also included are the research notes and preliminary chapters as well as a manuscript and numerous letters concerning her writing of A History of Public Health in New Mexico. In addition, the collection also contains the original receipts for the book's publication. The collection includes numerous photographs and newspaper clippings documenting the highlights of Greenfield's lifelong commitment to public health.

Restrictions

Access Restrictions

The collection is open to the public and available for research.

Copy Restrictions

Limited duplication of print materials allowed for research purposes. User is responsible for all copyright compliance.

Preferred Citation

Myrtle Greenfield Papers, New Mexico Health Historical Collection, UNM Health Sciences Library and Informatics Center.

Processing Information

The collection originally was processed by Janet Johnson. Danielle Scott reorganized the materials.

Separated Material

Greenfield, Myrtle. A History of Public Health in New Mexico, Albuquerque: University of New Mexico Press, 1962.

Greenfield, Myrtle. "The Effect of Environment on Normal Tuberculosis Guinea Pig," American Review of Tuberculosis, Vol. 24, no. 6, December 1931.

Related Archival Material

Carl Henderson Oral History. HHC145.FL 1244. New Mexico Health Historical Collection.

Jack Curry Redman Oral History Collection. HHC64.FL 1171. New Mexico Health Historical Collection.

Access Terms

American Public Health Association.

Greenfield, Myrtle, 1884-1967.

Public Health--New Mexico.

Tuberculosis--New Mexico.

Contents List

I. Personal Records,   1954-1967, undated

A. Financial Records,  1954-1961, 1963

B. Correspondence,  1940-1961

C. Miscellaneous,  1934-1967, undated

This sub-series contains news clippings collected by Myrtle Greenfield between 1935 and 1962, her curriculum vitae, an article commending women leaders in public health and Greenfield's ribbon from the 1954 New Mexico Public Health annual meeting.

D. Memorial,  1967

II. Professional Organizations,   1939-1963

A. American Public Health Association,  1939-1960, undated

This series contains correspondence, memoranda, reports, and minutes relating to Greenfield's involvement in the American Public Health Association. Also includes documents from related local groups and the APHA Fellowship.

B. New Mexico Tuberculosis Society,  1940-1963, undated

This series contains correspondence, memorandum, reports, and organizational materials pertaining to Greenfield's role in the New Mexico Tuberculosis Society.

C. Society of American Bacteriologist,  1957.

III. Honors,   1955-1962

IV. Book,  1956-1963, undated

V. Miscellaneous Publications,  1918-1955, undated

VI. Photographs,  1946, undated

Photographs include (1) an autographed print of the 1946 U.S. Public Health Service ceremony launching the first mobile miniature x-ray film unit with Clinton P. Anderson, Secretary of Agriculture, receiving the first chest x-ray, (2) portrait of Mr. Strowson, a member of the N.M. Board of Health, (3) 3 prints of a public health examination, and (4) a photocopied photograph from the New Mexico Health Officer.