The universal image of the nurse with a finger to her lips, used in healthcare facilities worldwide, has an Argentinian face and a long-hidden origin. This photograph, which was not originally intended as a professional symbol, came to embody the essential values of composure, respect, and care in global nursing. The photo was taken in 1953 by the head of laboratories Juan Craichik, who was inspired by the gesture of a nurse in Rosario, exhausted by the bustle of a waiting room. For the session, Craichik chose Muriel Mercedes Wabney, a renowned high-fashion model who was part of the Jean Cartier staff. She was selected for her ability to project 'tenderness, authority, and a gentle harmony.' What's striking is that Wabney's identity remained hidden for years, as the over 60,000 copies distributed globally were cropped by hospitals, removing the only clue that revealed the image's national origin. Thus, the face of Muriel Mercedes Wabney became the eternal symbol of care and serenity in health.
