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Vicki Lynn Umphlett papers, Collection # M 576, Special Collections and Archives, Health Sciences Library, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA.
Gift of Vicki Covey Umphlett, of Chesapeake, Virginia in 2025.
Vicki Lynn Umphlett was born in Florida on June 2, 1953 to Marion and Henry Umphlett, Sr. She had one younger brother named Henry. Her father served in the Navy, retiring at the rank of chief petty officer. As a teenager, Vicki Umphlett develped nephritis which led to her receiving a kidney transplant at the Medical College of Virginia Hospital (now VCU Health) in 1970. The transplant was successful and she went on to marry Randolph Bridgeman in 1974. Umphlett died on August 28, 1985.
This collection contains photographs of Vicki Umphlett during her time at the Medical College of Virginia Hospital (now VCU Health) where she received a kidney transplant in 1970. The photographs trace her recovery once she entered the self-care unit. Included in the photos are Umphlett, her parents and brother Henry, other patients, and medical staff, including doctors Hume and Lee. The collection also contains newspaper clippings about efforts to raise funds to pay for home dialysis equipment in 1968. Friends and neighbors of the Umphlett's helped to raise the funds as did members of the Navy.
The photographs were originally arranged in a photo album. Due to preservation concerns, the photographs were removed and placed into archival photo envelopes. The order of the photographs in the album has been maintained in that each grouping of images is placed in its own envelope.
Thanksgiving dinner
First day out after transplant.
Christmas, 1970.
Winter, 1971, Vicki Umphlett with family, friends and staff.
February 1971, birthday parties and ward photos.
Vicki Umphlett with family, patients, and medical staff.
Vicki Umphlett with family, patients, and medical staff.