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The M. D. Anderson Cancer Center Oral History Project is a repository for the stories, accounts, and memories of those who have chosen to share their experiences. The viewpoints expressed in the M. D. Anderson Cancer Center Oral History Project do not necessarily represent the viewpoints of M. D. Anderson Cancer Center or any of its officers, agents, employees, or volunteers. M. D. Anderson Cancer Center makes no warranty as to the accuracy or completeness of any information contained in the interviews and expressly disclaim any liability therefore.
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| Collection: | Making Cancer History Voices Oral History Collection |
| Interviewee: | Balzer, Ornell H. |
| Interviewer: | Brunet, Lesley W. |
| Title: | Ornell H. Balzer Oral History Interview 1 |
| Dates: | September 4, 2003 |
| Abstract: | This interview with Ornell Balzer begins with the evolution of her career at M.D. Anderson. She recounts how she moved to Houston after graduating from nursing school and her return to M.D. Anderson. Ms. Balzer then details her memories of time spent working at Baker Estate and her interactions with colleagues and patients. |
| Collection Id.: | Balzer_Ornell_20030904 |
| Original Format: | Audiocassette |
| Format: | 1 streaming video file and 1 interview transcript |
| Interview Length: | 1 hour |
| Language: | Materials are in English |
| Repository: | Historical Resources Center, Research Medical Library, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center |
Biographical Note
Ornell Balzer was one of the first four nurses to work at M.D. Anderson. She was born in Shaws Bend, near Columbus in central Texas and graduated from the Brackenridge School of Nursing at University of Texas in Austin in 1949. Her career at M.D. Anderson began in 1949. She spent three years at M.D. Anderson before leaving to work in a doctor’s office. In 1960 Ms. Balzer returned to M.D. Anderson as the head nurse during the start of the cancer center and later worked in radiotherapy. She was well-known to many employees at M.D. Anderson and can be seen in photos in the MdGovern Visitors Gallery and in the historical text, “The First Twenty Years of The University of Texas M.D. Anderson Hospital and Tumor Institute.” Ornell Balzer passed away on October 9, 2005 at the age of 93. |
Restrictions
| Restrictions on Access: | This interview contains no restrictions |
| Restrictions on Use: | All requests for copying of materials must be submitted to the Historical Resources Center in writing for approval. All reproductions will be handled by HRC staff. Authorization to publish, quote, or reproduce must be obtained in writing by the Historical Resources Center. |
Index Terms
| Subjects (Persons): | Balzer, Ornell H. |
| Subjects (Organizations): | University of Texas M.D. Anderson Cancer Center -- history |
| Subjects: |
Hospital Departments |
Administrative Information
| Provenance: | Interview between Ornell H. Balzer and Lesley W. Brunet on September 4, 2003 in Friendswood, Texas |
| Preferred Citation: | Ornell H. Balzer Oral History Interview 1, September 4, 2003, Research Medical Library, The University of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center. |
| Processing Information: | Oral history was edited by Jewelry Yep, HRC Intern, February 2011 |
