NAPOLEON, OHIO – This year, the World Health Organization is celebrating 2020 as the Year of the Nurse. In recognition of this celebration, the American Nurses Association has also extended Nurse’s Week, traditionally May 6-12, to include the entire month of May.
“Our nurses work tirelessly to ensure the health and wellbeing of our community,” Kim Bordenkircher, Chief Executive Officer at Henry County Hospital. “Whether they are in the ICU during a global pandemic, working at an immunization clinic, advocating for a patient in a doctor’s office, or developing practices to improve care provided, nurses play a critical role in our healthcare system.”
Although the COVID-19 global pandemic has highlighted the contributions and sacrifices made by nurses throughout the world, the Year of the Nurse was originally announced in recognition of the 200th anniversary of Florence Nightingale’s birth.
Nightingale, widely considered the founder of modern nursing, first became famous for her work overseeing a British army hospital during the Crimean War in 1854. In only 6 months, Nightingale and a team of 38 nurses reduced the hospital’s case-fatality rate from 32% to 2%.
Now, 200 years later, nurses continue to fill new roles in an effort to meet the ever-growing demand for healthcare services. They practice in a variety of settings and serve as the backbone of every healthcare system. “The nurses at Henry County Hospital are caregivers, educators and heroes,” said Bordenkircher. “Nurses’ month is our opportunity to highlight their contributions and say a welldeserved ‘thank you.’”
Throughout the month of May, Henry County Hospital encourages all patients and community members to reach out and say thank you to a nurse who has been there for you or your family.
In recognition of both Nurses’ Month and Hospital Week, celebrated May 10-16, the hospital has created a webpage where you can submit a thank you note online www.henrycountyhospital.org/Nurses-Day-HospitalWeek. You can also post a photo or message with #HCHStrong to share your appreciation on social media. Be sure to mention @HenryCountyHospitalInc in your post.
–PRESS RELEASE