Helen Fahl Gofman papers

Collection

Identifier: MSS-2014-17

Staff Only

MSS 2014-17 Gofman (Helen Fahl) Papers digital collection on Calisphere

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Scope and Contents

The collection contains documents the life and work of Dr. Gofman. Materials include writings, lectures, correspondence, publications, research materials, working files for individual patients (children), diagnostic tools and tests, photographs, slides, audio-visual recordings, and biographical materials. Also included are the files of some of the UCSF Child Study Unit (CSU) employees. All dates are approximate.

Dates

Creation: 1940-2004

Conditions Governing Access

The UCSF Archives and Special Collections policy places access restrictions on material with privacy issues for a specific time period from the date of creation. Access to records that contain personal and confidential information about an individual or individuals is restricted for 75 years from date of creation or until the death of the individual mentioned in the records, whichever is longer. Access to medical records is restricted for 100 years from the latest date of the materials in those files. Restrictions are noted at the series level. This collection will be reviewed for sensitive content upon request. Contact the UCSF Archivist for information on access to these files.

Conditions Governing Use

Some materials in these collections may be protected by the U.S. Copyright Law (Title 17, U.S.C.). In addition, the reproduction of some materials may be restricted by terms of the University of California gift or purchase agreements, donor restrictions, privacy and publicity rights, licensing, and trademarks. Transmission or reproduction of materials protected by copyright beyond that allowed by fair use requires the written permission of the copyright owners. Works not in the public domain cannot be commercially exploited without permission of the copyright owner. Responsibility for any use rests exclusively with the user.

Biographical / Historical

Dr. Helen F. Gofman was involved with teaching, patient care, and research at the University of California for 42 years. Gofman was a national leader in the field of behavioral pediatrics. She completed both her medical degree and a residency in pediatrics at UCSF in 1947. Gofman was involved with the Child Study Unit, within the UCSF Pediatrics Department, from the time it was founded in 1948 until her retirement in 1984. She served as director of the CSU from 1961-1973 and co-director from 1973-1983. Upon her retirement in 1984, Gofman was awarded professor emeritus.

The CSU pioneered development of physician training programs in the psychosocial aspects of pediatric practice. The primary ephamis of the CSU was to teach pediatricians, family physicians, and other health professionals how to help families deal with behavioral difficulties associated with chronic illness, physicial disabilities, and developmental stress in their children.

Extent

56.25 Linear Feet (45 cartons)

Language of Materials

English

Additional Description

Arrangement

Cartons have been reordered into basic series: Series I. Patient files, 1960-1974; Series II. Published material, 1950-1999; Series III. Work files, 1948-1998; Series IV. Personal files, 1940-2004. Within each carton, material is in the the order in which it was received. When available, more detailed information can be found at the series and item level.

Immediate Source of Acquisition

Donated by Dr. Gofman's son, Dr. John Gofman, in 2014-2015.

A binder containing presentation and teaching slides was added to the collection in 2026. Donated by Carl Baum, colleague, student and mentee of Dr. Gofman.