MINERVA BLEGEN SATHE, RN, was a pioneer nursing figure
in Spokane County and played a pivotal role in bringing quality health care
to its residents.
She came to Spokane in 1921 as an American Red Cross nurse
and became Spokane County's first and only public health nurse in 1923. Her
early duties included water and sanitation inspections and grew to include responsibility
for health programs in 155 area schools. Her visits to schools were made in
a Model-T Ford over bumpy, dusty roads to bring immunizations and health examinations
to hundreds of students.
In 1935, during her employment, the county health office received
special recognition for its progress in the health field for five consecutive
years. Its staff grew under her guidance, and in 1951 Minerva became Director
of the Public Health Nursing office. She was instrumental in setting up various
clinics with private physicians and county nurses for prenatal care of women,
examination of crippled children and mental health care.
At her retirement in 1965, she had served Spokane County for
42 years and had helped the office grow from a staff of one (herself) to 16
employed nurses under her direction. She played a pivotal role in ushering in
many health care changes including the first use of the Salk vaccine for polio.
Minerva's dedication to the improvement of health care and her years of public
service helped create an atmosphere in which quality care could grow for the
residents of Spokane County.
