Willman, Marilyn Dawn (1928- )

  • See UBC Archives
  • See Oral History Files, Fonds 18, Series 3, Subseries 8
  • See School of Nursing Fonds 31

Dr. Marilyn Willman was appointed Director of UBC’s School of Nursing from 1977 to 1993.   Previously she had been President of the University of Texas School of Nursing, whose faculty she had joined in 1961.  She had received her BScN from the University of Michigan, her Master’s from the University of Texas Medical Branch and her Doctorate in educational psychology from the University of Texas at Austin.

Dr. Willman believed that more and better-educated nurses were BC’s prime need.  She argued that education of nurses belongs in the classroom, whether at the university or community college level.  She encouraged more nurses to get their degrees, and to enhance continuing education so that nurses can upgrade their qualifications and keep up-to-date on newer procedures.   During her tenure a 4-year baccalaureate program was reinstated, a PhD program was introduced and a collaborative BSN  program with VGH School of Nursing was introduced. In 1993, she retired in Richmond BC.

Contents of Biographical File

  1. Transcript of interview by Glennis Zilm, January 22, 1992.
  2. Willman, Marilyn D., et al, “Nurse Administrators Association of B.C.: History 1918-1994”.
  3. Curriculum Vitae
  4. “Names and Faces”, The Canadian Nurse, March 1977, p. 52.
  5. “Education Key to Nursing Future”  Newspaper article
  6. Letter concerning review of Prof. M.D. Willman from Dr. A. Neisen, March 17,
  7. Report with covering letter to Dr. A. Meisen re stewardship of Prof. M.D. Willman, April 27, 1982.
  8. Invitation to retirement reception, November 25, 1993.
  9. Photograph
  10. Biographical Information Profile