“…delicate operation of transfusing a stream of physiotherapists from civilian to military life”
Boston School of Physical Education leaders pledged their educational resources to the national war effort in WWI. Marjorie Bouvé and Mary Florence Stratton, two of the school’s founders, trained students in the physical education program in rehabilitation techniques and raised funds. At least ten students from BSPE served in overseas army base hospitals, elevating the treatment of soldier patients over their own personal safety. Nearly fifty cared for veterans at domestic military hospitals. Lessons in body mechanics and on-the-ground exposure to treatment procedures laid the foundation for the formalization of physical therapy education at BSPE.
Educators
Marguerite Sanderson left her position as Boston School of Physical Education president in 1917 to become the first Director of reconstruction aides. At Walter Reed General Hospital, she supervised the physical therapy training courses and organized groups of reconstruction aides for overseas service. Sanderson followed her students to France in September 1918, remaining with the American occupation forces after the armistice of November 11.
Students
Constance Kilham Greene traveled to Savenay, France in 1918 as a reconstruction aide to serve alongside the American Expeditionary Force. During her seven months overseas, Greene transferred between three base hospitals, advancing closer to the ruins of the former Western front with each move. In April, she received a fourteen day leave of absence to visit Nice. Upon her return to the United States, Greene served at Walter Reed General Hospital for two months before her formal discharge on August 17, 1919.