Presidents
When John F. Kennedy was elected President in 1960, he appointed Dr. Travell to the post of Personal Physician to the President, because of his strong belief in her abilities. The first woman to hold the position, she had worked with him since 1955, when he was a Senator, and treated the chronic back pain he suffered as a result of injuries incurred in World War II. Dr. Travell advocated the use of a rocking chair to alleviate President Kennedy's back pain. In the process, their use was popularized among the public, who saw pictures of the President in the Oval Office sitting in his rocker. The President asked Dr. Travell to use her expertise in chair design and apply it to chairs in the Executive Office, Cabinet Room, Air Force One, and his personal home furnishings.Dr. Travell would go on to serve President Lyndon Johnson after the death of President Kennedy, and left the White House in 1965. Dr. Travell, who was appointed to the staff of The George Washington University School of Medicine and University Hospital as Associate Clinical Professor of Medicine shortly after coming to the White House, remained active teaching, writing, playing tennis, and giving lectures across the country her entire life. She strove to instill in others the positive results of exercise, both mental and physical for healthy living.
Selections From the Exhibit
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John F. Kennedy and Dr. Travell
President-elect Kennedy leaves his Georgetown home with Dr. Travell and press secretary Pierre Salinger to visit Mrs. Kennedy and John, Jr. at Georgetown Hospital, November 26, 1960.
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Political Cartoon
Political rocking chair cartoon "I don't find this relaxing at all."
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Dr. Travell's Office
Dr. Travell, husband John Powell, and two daughters Janet and Virginia in her White House Office, 1961.
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Dr. Travell and President Kennedy
Dr. Travell and President Kennedy in the Oval Office, 1961.
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In Memorium
A memorial service in honor of the late John F. Kennedy at the Lisner Auditorium of George Washington University, November 27, 1963.
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GW Hospital Women's Board
Dr. Travell and Mrs. Samuel M. Burgess II, President of GW Hospital Women's Board, sitting on rocking chairs.
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Dean John Parks and Dr. Travell
Dean John Parks of the School of Medicine of the George Washington University and Dr. Janet
Travell attend a meeting of the Women's Auxiliary of the D.C. Medical School to benefit the group's
Nursing Scholarship Fund and the American Medical Education Fund, March 1961.
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"First Lady (MD) in the White House" Medical World News, vol. 2. no. 4, February 17, 1961.
The article, "First Lady (MD) in the White House" highlights Dr. Travell as being the
first female physician to the president. Dr. Virginia Weeks, sister to Dr. Travell, describes her younger sibling as being," ireless, brisk, and a born researcher."
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Press Pelease Announcing the Appointment of Dr. Travell as White House Physician
"In November 1960, two days after the national election, President-elect Kennedy telephoned me in
New York and invited me to meet him in Palm Beach that week. When I hesitated, thinking of my other commitments, he said, 'Stick with me, and I'll make you notorious.' So here I am." From Dr. Travell's remarks at the Celebration of Women in Medicine conference, Hahnemann University (Philadelphia), March 6, 1983.
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Conference Program
Program from the White House Conference on Health, November 3-4, 1965.
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Dr. Travell and Husband at British Embassy Party
"John Powell, left, and his wife, Dr. Janet Travell, President Kennedy's physician, chat with
FAA Director Najeeb Halaby at British Embassy Garden Party celebrating the Queen's birthday."
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