J. P. Kilbourn papers
Scope and Contents
The J. P. Kilbourn papers consist primarily of Dr. Kilbourn’s research materials and documents related to her role as an educator and mentor in her community. The collection includes academic manuscripts, business records, institutional documents, personal papers, notes, letters and correspondence, and some photographs. The collection contents were generated throughout Dr. Kilbourn’s professional and personal life between the 1950s and the 2010s. These materials will be useful to researchers interested in topics such as clinical microbiology, studies of cystic fibrosis of the lung, bioremediation of contaminated soils, studies in urinalysis methods and urinary tract infections, and yeast and candidiasis.
This collection will also be of interest for those who wish to study gender dynamics in health and science, an issue that Dr. Kilbourn was vocal and passionate about throughout her life. As feminist movements evolved through the 1960s to the 1980s and beyond, these documents show a paralleled personal perspective on the lived experiences of a woman questioning her social and academic environments, and her support for other women as they did the same. The materials are broken down into four series: “I. Research and Publications” (1964-2008), “II. Education and mentoring” (1953-2010), “III. Personal” (1955-2009), and “IV. Digital materials” (undated).
Dates
- 1953-2010
Conditions Governing Access
Some materials in this collection may be restricted due to the presence of protected health information (PHI) or other confidential information. Please contact Historical Collections & Archives for more details regarding access.
Conditions Governing Use
OHSU Historical Collections & Archives (HC&A) is the owner of the original materials and digitized images in our collections, however, the collection may contain materials for which copyright is not held. Patrons are responsible for determining the appropriate use or reuse of materials. Consult with HC&A to determine if we can provide permission for use.
Biographical Note
Joan Priscilla Payne Kilbourn, professionally known as “J. P.” and more commonly by her nickname “Perky,” was born June 15, 1936 in Junea, Alaska and died in May 10, 2011 in Portland, Oregon. She attended Willamette University from 1954 to 1957, then the University of Oregon Medical School (OHSU), and earned a B.S. in general science in 1958, as well as an M.S. in microbiology with a minor in biochemistry in 1960. While earning her masters degree, Dr. Kilbourn worked nights as a medical technologist at OHSU. She married her husband, Portland architect Lee Kilbourn, in 1961. In 1963, she earned a Ph.D. from Oregon State University in microbiology, with minors in biochemistry and mathematics. Through the sixties and seventies she taught for the biology department at the University of Oregon, worked for OHSU medical school’s microbiology and pediatrics departments, the Veterans Affairs Hospital clinical microbiology department laboratory, as well as other corporate and independent consulting laboratories.
In 1984, Dr. Kilbourn started her own business, the Consulting Clinical and Microbiological Laboratory, which she oversaw until her health began to decline in 2002. She invested heavily in the education, mentorship, and advancement of others. Kilbourn was a long time volunteer GED prep tutor, regional science fair judge, and assisted in forming the Portland chapter of Iota Sigma Pi National Honor Society for Women in Chemistry. She acted as the chapter’s president for several years, drafting and contributing to many organization publications. She taught continuing education classes for medical technologists at Portland State University, Clackamas Community College, and Physicians Medical Laboratory.
In her field she produced dedicated research, was a fellow in the American Association for the Advancement of Science, and received a “Woman of Achievement” award from the state of Oregon in 1998. Dr. Kilbourn was an active member of St. Stephens Episcopal church in Portland, Oregon, and a mother to two daughters.
Extent
13 Linear Feet
Language of Materials
English
Abstract
J. P. Kilbourn, Ph.D. (1936-2011) was a dedicated educator and clinical microbiologist, owner and director of Consulting Clinical and Microbiological Laboratory, a fellow in the American Association for the Advancement of Science, and recipient of the “Woman of Achievement” award from the state of Oregon. The collection materials document her research, personal life, and contributions to her community; they date from the 1950s through the 2010s and include academic manuscripts, business records, institutional documents, personal papers, notes, letters and correspondence, and some photographs.
Arrangement
This collection is organized into three series: “I. Research and Publications,” “II. Education and mentoring,” and “III. Personal.” The collection also contains a fourth series set of digital materials. Each series contains corresponding subseries and are arranged alphabetically at the subseries level.
Immediate Source of Aqcuisition
Donation begun by husband Lee Kilbourn. Also involved was daughter Laurie Kilbourn
Processing Information
Readable copies of digital files were transferred into the digital archive, originals and unreadable copies were deaccessioned
Source
- Kilbourn, Lee (Donor, Person)
- Title
- Guide to the J. P. Kilbourn papers
- Status
- Completed
- Author
- Meg Suhosky
- Date
- 2019
- Description rules
- Describing Archives: A Content Standard
- Language of description
- English
- Script of description
- Latin
- Language of description note
- Finding aid written in English.
Repository Details
Part of the Oregon Health & Science University, Historical Collections & Archives Repository