Deborah Coleman attended The Ohio State University College of Nursing. She became a staff nurse, then assistant head nurse in the infectious disease unit at the University Hospital. Coleman accepted the role as head nurse for the unit and returned to school for her master’s degree at the same time. A clinical nurse specialist (CNS) for chronic disease role was created for her. Coleman began to treat patients with HIV/AIDS and became involved in efforts to educate providers and patients about safety measures. Coleman was an early member of the Columbus AIDS Task Force. She was asked to speak to the Columbus City Council about the need for funding HIV/AIDS programs at the Columbus Health Department (CHD). Coleman was asked to work for CHD and set up the program. She worked for CHD in several capacities until becoming the first Chief Nursing Officer and Assistant Health Commissioner in 2006.
The Deborah Coleman Oral History (0.25 linear feet) contains copies of an oral history interview conducted with Coleman on August 11, 2015, accompanied by awards, correspondence, her curriculum vitae, presentations, publications and other professional papers.
The collection is open to the public and is available for viewing in the Medical Heritage Center. Materials do not circulate and must be used in the supervised reading room. Restrictions, including copyright, may exist and some materials may be too fragile to photocopy or digitize. The MHC charges for duplication services, which must be performed by staff.
[Identification of item], Deborah Coleman Oral History, SPEC.202550.COLEMANORALHISTORY, Medical Heritage Center, Health Sciences Library, The Ohio State University.