Sister Maria Amadeo Huepel, CSC ’27

She founded the nursing program at the College which ran from 1935-1962.

Her Story

The nursing program at Saint Mary's was one of the first in the country and the first in the state of Indiana. Few people know about this as the current baccalaureate program in nursing was established in 1973. Sister Maria Amedeo was appointed by the College as organizer and administrator of this new venture. Students took two years in liberal arts courses at the College followed by 3 years in the professional part of the curriculum including a final semester at the College. At the end of the five-year period, they received a bachelor's degree and were also graduated as registered nurses. Sister Maria Amadeo spent 21 years as head of the department and in recognition of her service, the Indiana Nursing Association named her Outstanding Nurse of 1959.