Katie Newcomb: From Nurse to Principal of Nursing School

When Katie Newcomb was just fourteen years old, she doctored her school identification in order to appear older and she began working e summers as a ward attendant at the Kings Park State Hospital.   It was there that she rose up the ranks to Principal of the School of Nursing and, ultimately, Director of Nursing.

Newsomb's class at the School of Nursing consisted of only 6 young men and 4 young women.  One of her fellow students, Clarence, became her husband during her Senior year.  Similarly motivated, the two earned their Bachelor's and Master's degrees from Adelphi University,  Clarence went on to work as a Personnel Administrator at Pilgrim State  Hospital.  Kate began her career as a Staff Nurse. She was later promoted to Head Nurse, and then Principal of the Nursing School.  It was in this role that Newcomb found her greatest satisfaction.

Newcomb stated, " I loved working with the students.  Being able to get things done for the students. The Class of '59 had to be my favorite. They really brought such joy.  Some were from places as far away as Canada or California and were living on the grounds.  For the holidays, I would bring them to my house for dinner."

At the time, many of the young nurses who were graduates of the KP School of Nursing were starting families.  "We were able to be flexible with our young nurses' schedules.  They loved to work and we were able to arrange shifts and schedules so that they could," Newcomb stated.

In 1966, Newcomb served as Chief of Nursing Services.  In 1971, she was appointed Acting Chief of Service.  She was the first non-physician appointed to that position at Kings Park State Hospital.   In 1973, Newcomb began working as a Program Analyst for Regional Office of Mental Health Services . In March of 1984, her husband Charlie died.  Newcomb started her new position at nearby Pilgrim State Hospital as Mental Health Unit Chief.  She finally retired in 1991.

While working and working on graduate degrees, Newcomb and her husband raised four children: Barbara, Charles, Jr., Kathie Ann and Mark.    She continues to live in Kings Park with her pride and joy, her now 22 year old grandson, Clarence.  

Mrs. Kathleen Newcomb is a woman who devoted her entire adult life to the care of mentally ill patients .  She hopes to see many of her former colleagues on Friday at the annual reunion to be held at Larkfield Manor.