Leslie and LaNelle Geddes papers

Collection — Multiple Containers

Identifier: MSF 486

Staff Only

Scope and Contents

The Leslie and LaNelle Geddes paper document the personal and professional lives of Dr. Leslie Geddes and Dr. LaNelle Geddes. Dr. Leslie Geddes’ project files, lecture notes, and awards are particularly well-represented in this collection, as is Dr. LaNelle Geddes’ speeches, teaching awards, and correspondence.

Dates

Creation: 1921 - 2015

Creator

Geddes, LaNelle E. (Person)
Geddes, L. A. (Leslie Alexander), 1921- (Person)

Languages of Materials

This collection is in English.

Access Information

This collection is open for research.

Copyright and Use Information

Biographical Information

Leslie Geddes was born in Scotland on May 24, 1921. He received his B.S. and M.S. in electrical engineering from McGill University and his PhD from in physiology from Baylor University College of Medicine. In 1974, Geddes was recruited to Purdue University, where he established a biomedical engineering program and eventually became the Showalter Distinguished Professor Emeritus of Biomedical Engineering as well as Director of the Hillenbrand Biomedical Engineering Center at Purdue. Geddes conducted research in electromyography, cardiac output, cardiac pacing, ventricular defibrillation, and blood pressure. Geddes has 29 U.S. patents in his name including a regenerative tissue graft, a pacemaker that automatically increases a person's heart rate during exercise, a vital signs monitor for premature infants, and a portable electrocardiograph. He has written thirteen books and over eight hundred scientific papers, and his numerous awards include the Edison Medal (1994) and the National Medal of Technology (2006) for his contributions to electrode design and tissue restoration. Geddes retired from full-time teaching in 1991, but still taught a course and participated in research. Geddes passed away on October 25, 2009. The chair of the Weldon School of Biomedical Engineering, which he helped found, is endowed the Leslie A. Geddes Chair in his honor.

LaNelle E. (Nerger) Geddes was born on September 15, 1935 in Houston, Texas. She received a B.S. in Nursing from the University of Houston in 1957, and earned a PhD in Biophysics there in 1970. After receiving her PhD, Geddes taught at the Texas Women's University and in the Department of Physiology at Baylor College of Medicine in Houston. Geddes joined the faculty at Purdue in 1975 where her husband, Leslie A. Geddes, was the head of the Department of Biomedical Engineering. LaNelle started in the School of Nursing as the Assistant Head of the Department. In 1980, she was promoted to the Head of the Department and served as Head until 1991. Geddes' research was focused on cardiovascular physiology. Her teaching emphasized the impact of human pathophysiologic alterations and their influence on nursing and medical care. Her inclusion of pathophysiology encouraged her students to make better clinical judgements and to be stronger patient advocates. From 1996-2003, Geddes also taught pathophysiology to IU School of Medicine students at Purdue University. Geddes retired as a professor emeritus in 2003. Her research and teaching had far-reaching impacts, and she received many awards over the course of her career. She was an AMOCO Foundation (Murphy) Award winner, a fellow of the University Teaching Academy, and a Helen B Schleman Gold Medallion Awardee. She also received the Lafayette YWCA Salute to Women Award and the Westminster Village Lifetime Service Award for her work within the community. Geddes passed away on January 25, 2016.

Extent

28.00 Cubic Feet (36 full-width letter-size manuscript boxes, eight cubic foot boxes, six flat boxes, two half-width letter-size manuscript boxes, two full-width legal-size manuscript boxes, one half-width legal-size boxes, one small flip-top archival box, one card box, and one CD box.)

Additional Description

Arrangement

This collection is divided into two series.

Leslie Geddes
LaNelle Geddes

Technical Access

VHS tapes must be migrated to a digital format before use. Contact Purdue University Archives and Special Collections if interested in using this material.

Acquisition Information

This collection was donated by Leslie and LaNelle Geddes.

Related Materials

MSO 1, Oral History Program collection, Purdue University Archives and Special Collections, Purdue University Libraries.

Processing Information

Collection was re-foldered and re-housed in archival folders and boxes. Paperclips were removed. Certificates and photographs were removed from frames. Materials were arranged topically and chronologically.