WELLINGTON HOSPITAL HISTORY
Jessie Iris Martin MBE
Jessie Iris Martin, Matron of Wellington Hospital 1956–1957 (courtesy WMHS Archives)
Born Wellington 19 Dec 1898 — Died Hamilton 19 Jul 1982
Trained as a nurse at Wellington Hospital, graduating in Jun 1929, sharing top-equal marks in NZ for the State Final exam.
In 1930, she was the second recipient of the Frances Keith Payne Memorial Medal.
Awarded a bursary by the Wellington Hospital Board to undertake studies for a diploma in hospital administration and teaching, which she successfully completed in Aug 1930.
Obtained leave to complete midwifery training at Hastings Memorial Hospital in 1933, passing the examinations with honours.
Ward Sister, Wellington Hospital to 1936
Two years postgraduate study in England 1937–1938
On the way back to NZ she visited hospitals in Canada and the US, studying hospital administration and training methods.
Tutor Sister, Cook Hospital, Gisborne 1938–1939
Senior Tutor, Waikato Hospital 1940–1941
Matron, Cook Hospital 1942–1955
Dominion President, NZ Registered Nurses Association 1952–1956
In her ‘retirement,’ she was relieving Matron, Greymouth Hospital 1956
Temporary Matron-in-Chief, Wellington Hospital Board and Matron, Wellington Hospital for six months to Apr 1957
Public Health Nurse, Department of Health, Hamilton 1957–1968