Sally Tompkins

Real World Example

Sally Tompkins was a remarkable nurse during the Civil War who established and funded a private hospital in Richmond, Virginia, for the Confederate Army. Her hospital was known for its exceptional care and had the lowest death rate of any Confederate hospital. Sally's dedication and effective management earned her the rank of Captain, making her the only woman to be officially commissioned in the Confederate Army. Her actions mattered because they provided much-needed medical care and set a high standard for hospital management during the war. Today, her legacy inspires health care workers to prioritize patient care and resourcefulness; for example, modern nurses might be motivated by Sally's story to volunteer in crisis areas or improve patient outcomes in their own hospitals.