Dorothy Davis Cook

Dorothy Davis Cook (March 29, 1912 – June 28, 2005) was an American missionary registered nurse with the Church of the Nazarene who served in Swaziland (now Eswatini from 1940 to 1972. Cook built the nurse aide program and established the first state-registered nurse program in Swaziland. She was given the nickname “Mother of Swazi Nurses” for the education she provided to several hundred Swazi Christian nurses. Cook became a licensed registered nurse by the State of Idaho on 16 November 1938.

Career Cook was appointed to the Nazarene missionary service on November 22, 1939. Cook mentored Eva (Manzini) Mthethwa, the first Swazi nurse to pass the Eswatini Nursing Council’s examination and be fully registered. Together, the two helped to create the Nursing Procedure Manual, which was used by all nurses trained in Eswatini after 1946. In 1945, Davis completed all requirements in Zulu study, the native language of the people. She contracted malaria and was treated by Hynd with intravenous quinine. Cook left Swaziland in 1972.

Awards Davis was honored with the Member of the Member of the British Empire award for her service in Swaziland. She also received the Church of the Nazarene Distinguished Service Award

The Dorothy Fay Davis Silver Medal was established annually in Swaziland to recognise a nursing student's efforts.