The 1936 diary includes Mary Tennant's surveys of public health education, facilities and general impressions of state and local nursing in East Asia and South America.

The diary is arranged according to interview and visit and documents Mary Tennant's talks with professionals in the field of public health. During 1937, Tennant surveys public health education, gives her impressions of nursing education and public health nursing in China, and discusses nursing fellowships. Included in the diary is a proposed outline of a health center program for Japan.