Associations News

In Memory of Miriam Manisoff, NPWH Founding Mother

Miriam Manisoff, age 91, passed away peacefully on Feb 17, 2011. Miriam’s lifelong dedication to the field of reproductive health included serving for many years as Director of Professional Education for the Planned Parenthood Federation of America (PPFA). An early pioneer of the nurse practitioner movement, Ms Manisoff established the role of the NP in family planning clinics, creating and running a program that has trained more than 800 NPs.

Miriam was a founding mother of the National Association of Nurse Practitioners in Women’s Health (NPWH). She ran the business side of NPWH from her office at PPFA from 1980 to 1987, when NPWH established its own presence in Washington, DC. Miriam’s commanding voice and quick intellect made her an ideal representative for WHNPs in the 1980s, when NP organizations and specialty collaborations were first being established.

In honor of Ms Manisoff’s contribution to the field, an award in her name is granted annually by PPFA to an advanced clinician who has propelled the WHNP role forward. In the words of Susan Wysocki, President and CEO of NPWH, with regard to Miriam: “She leaves the legacy of the nurse practitioners she educated, and shared her passion for women’s health. That legacy continues through all of us who knew her as a mentor, friend, and colleague.”

A private family service was held on Long Island. A memorial remembrance is planned for later in the year for persons for whom Miriam was a mentor, colleague, and/or friend. Details to come at www.npwh.org