Matriarch of UF nurse midwifery dies
Mary Elizabeth "Betty" Hilliard, Ph.D., C.N.M., a University of Florida professor emeritus who founded the College of Nursing's nurse midwifery master's program
Mary Elizabeth "Betty" Hilliard, Ph.D., C.N.M., a University of Florida professor emeritus who founded the College of Nursing's nurse midwifery master's program in 1982 and was one of the early pioneers of nurse midwifery in Florida, died Saturday, March 27, 2010, after an extended illness. She was 85.
"Betty Hilliard was one of the most dedicated and passionate nursing leaders of her time," said Kathleen Ann Long, Ph.D., R.N., dean of the College of Nursing. "Although encountering resistance to nurse midwifery in much of her professional life, she persevered and dedicated herself to nurse midwifery education, and to improving the health of women and children."
When Hilliard came to Florida in 1960 to join the UF College of Nursing's faculty, she was one of only three nurse midwives in the state. Fifty years later and 28 years after she founded the first nurse-midwifery program, there are more than 300 practicing nurse midwives in Florida, and the majority are alumni of the UF nurse-midwifery program.
"Dr. Hilliard did not give up on any challenge, no matter how big or small, and thanks to her, we now have an excellent nurse-midwifery program at UF," said Alice Poe, D.S.N., C.N.M., coordinator of the nurse-midwifery program since 1990. "Dr. Hilliard fought to establish the program, and we are so appreciative of her drive and determination. She was such a wonderful mentor to me and so many others — so kind and giving and willing to share her knowledge."
Today UF's nurse-midwifery program is recognized as one of the best in the state and the nation. Since its founding, the program has produced hundreds of new nurse midwives who have significantly improved health care for women and families in Florida and the nation.
Hilliard received her nursing degree from Massachusetts General Hospital and subsequently completed postgraduate work in maternity nursing at Margaret Hague Hospital in Jersey City. She served in the U.S. Navy for five years and received her bachelor's of nursing degree from Catholic University of America, and her master's degree in nurse-midwifery from Yale University. She later received a doctorate from the UF College of Education.
Hilliard was one of the earliest faculty members of the UF College of Nursing, where she taught maternal and newborn nursing. Through her work at the Reddick Clinic, the Maternal-Infant Care Project and various other ventures, she improved health care for a largely underserved population of women and infants and served as a role model for students.
After retirement, Hilliard remained in Gainesville and lived in the Oak Hammock Retirement Community. In 2009, she saw a dream realized with completion of her written memoir, titled "A Labor of Love," which was printed by the College of Nursing. The book depicts, through vivid recollections spanning her earliest days as a nursing student to retirement from UF, the struggles and accomplishments of a very colorful nursing career.
"Dr. Hilliard's legacy to nurse-midwifery and women's health is evidenced in the generations of students who have influenced nurse-midwifery and health care and in the many patients she served," Long said."She has inspired us to continue her work."
Those who wish to honor the accomplishments and memory of Hilliard may do so by making contributions to the Dr. Mary Elizabeth Hilliard Endowed Professorship for Nurse Midwifery at the University of Florida College of Nursing. Donations can be made online at https://www.uff.ufl.edu/OnlineGiving/nursing.asp or by contacting Anna Harper at 352-273-6360 or aemiller@ufl.edu.