Gertrude Heberlein

Heberlein came to the extension center in 1924 as a part-time stenographer.  In 1926, she became the office assistant to Mary Orvis.  Heberlein, like Orvis, would become a prominent figure in the early years of the extension center's work.  She became well-known for her willingness to help wherever needed, which, over the years included the center's bookstore and library.  After Orvis's retirement from her position directing the extension office, Heberlein became acting director of the office for one year before a replacement was hired.

Mary Orvis

A well-known figure in the early days of Indiana University's presence in Indianapolis, Orvis started working for Indiana University in 1916 as a secretary to the director of the university's summer school program.  From 1918 to 1924, she held the title of secretary the IU Indianapolis extension office located in the Bobbs Merrill building in downtown Indianapolis.  In 1921, Robert E. Cavanaugh became the director of IU's Extension Division and he unofficially charged Orvis with running the Indianapolis office.  She was considered to be the "officer-in-charge," and in 1924, her position title officially changed to executive secretary.  Orvis did everything from planning courses to overseeing administrative functions. 

Cordelia Hoeflin

Cordelia Hoeflin served as Director of the Training School for Nurses from May 1933 to January 1946.  In 1928, Hoeflin began working at Riley Hospital for Children as Assistant Superintendent of Nurses.  She served in this position until 1930, at which time she left to complete coursework in hospital administration.  Hoeflin returned to IU in May 1933 as the new Director of the Training School for Nurses.  

Hoeflin led the Training School for Nurses through the Great Depression and World War II.  During this time, she increased entrance requirements to include one year of college work (1937) and maintained former director Ethel Clarke's strict sense of discipline among students.  In 1941 the Training School for Nurses appeared on the first list of accredited school of nursing sponsored by the National League of Nursing Education. 

Josephine Hull

Josephine Hull became Acting Director of the Training School for Nurses following Ethel Clarke's departure in 1931.  She served as Acting Director until May 1933.  Hull had previously been the Assistant Director of the training school from 1930 to 1931. 

Hull spent her tenure as Acting Director ensuring that the school continued to uphold the strict educational standards put into place by Ethel Clarke.  To this end, she added curriculum in chemistry, massage, and ward management.  Her efforts ensured that students obtained the best education possible in the interim years following Clarke's departure.

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Ethel P. Clarke

Ethel Clarke replaced Alice Fitzgerald as director of the Training School for Nurses when she left in 1914.  Clarke served as director of the Training School for Nurses from 1915 to 1931.  She continued Fitzgerald's efforts to grow and establish the program, and eventually oversaw the construction of Ball Nurses' Residence, the first official home of the Training School for Nurses.  Before Ball Nurses' Residence opened, students lived in cottages in the neighborhoods surrounding Long Hospital.  Ball offered nursing students safer housing, a more communal environment, and a home for faculty offices, dining facilities, and exercise facilities. 

Clarke also created a nurses' alumnae association and brought a chapter of Sigma Theta Tau honorary society to campus.  Her presence at the Training School for Nurses truly defined the early period of nursing education at IU.

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Alice Fitzgerald

Alice Fitzgerald served as the first director of the Indiana University Training School for Nurses from 1913 to 1914.  During her year in Indianapolis, Fitzgerald literally built the Training School for Nurses.  She designed the school's curriculum, hired its first faculty, ordered supplies for the training school and for Long Hospital, and oversaw the first class of five nursing students.  In its early years, the nursing school was based in the newly opened Robert Long Hospital.

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Edna Henry

Edna Henry was the founder and first director of the Social Service Department at IU Medical Center.  She served in this capacity from 1911 to 1921.  Henry was recruited by Indiana University President William Lowe Bryan to establish the new department.  A well-known social worker, she had previously founded Associated Charities of Anderson.

At IU, Henry organized the new department and taught courses.  She also helped to found the Indianapolis Advisory Committee of the IU Social Services Department, a group that oversaw dispensary work.  Henry also served as the first president of the American Association of Hospital Social Workers and the First treasurer of the Marion County Tuberculosis Association.

Lillian Mueller, M.D.