In honor of the 200th anniversary of the birth of Florence Nightingale, the World Health Organization has designated 2020 as the Year of the Nurse and of the Midwife. As part of this acknowledgement, the American Nurses Association (ANA) has expanded National Nurses Week, traditionally celebrated from May 6 to May 12 each year, to a month-long appreciation to expand opportunities to elevate and celebrate nursing. This could not be a more fitting tribute to nursing staff everywhere, including those who are heroes on the frontlines of the COVID-19 response.
Next week, May 10 through 16, is also National Hospital Week, which celebrates all members of our Stony Brook Medicine team. Nurses Week and Hospital Week offer us the opportunity to recognize the privilege that we all share as healthcare workers: the ability to impact the lives and health of our community.
Nurses Week
In the midst of the worst global pandemic in more than a century, nursing staff has made significant contributions to provide care and services for patients. In hours of need and in moments when people are most vulnerable, nursing is on the front lines providing lifesaving work. As the saying goes, “Save one life you’re a hero. Save a hundred lives, you’re a nurse.”
Nursing is a calling. Those who answer this noble call do so wholeheartedly, with mind, body and soul. It is not surprising that for the past 18 years, the public has ranked nurses as the number one profession when it comes to honesty and ethics in Gallup's annual poll, so nurses have held the public's respect for almost two decades.
This pandemic has reinforced to the public the depth and breadth of nursing staffs’ capabilities, compassion and dedication to their patients. In addition to our nursing staff serving at the bedside, there is a plethora of our staff lending talent and expertise in case management, risk management, quality management, supply chain management and value analysis, healthcare epidemiology, compliance, finance, human resources, clinical education, information technology, and so many other hospital departments. Critical skills and clinical knowledge are vital in these diversified roles.
I wish to personally thank every member of the nursing staff at Stony Brook Medicine for your dedicated service and contributions to quality healthcare. At Stony Brook, our nursing staff is known for its excellence and compassion and serves as the very foundation and core of the care we provide. Now, more than ever, the impact of your commitment, talent and expertise is in full view.
As we continue to navigate through this pandemic, I have received countless notes of thanks from family members that confirm what I have always known – the competency and caring of our nursing staff is simply unmatched in our community. Your dedication has undoubtedly saved countless lives. Thank you for bringing your best, every day, to our mission of providing exceptional, compassionate care. As an ongoing tribute to your service and excellence, we are also inviting everyone in our community to acknowledge and appreciate our nursing staff throughout the year.
Hospital Week
I am equally proud of our entire Stony Brook Medicine family, and this pride and gratitude extends far beyond our four walls. The community we serve each and every day recognizes the vital role healthcare workers provide, especially at a time like this, and there is an outpouring of thanks to share. Check out the touching and inspiring messages and pictures on the Microsoft Teams Community Messages of Support Channel. Note: You need to have Microsoft Teams downloaded through your app store or via this link to access: https://teams.microsoft.com/downloads.
We also know there are many acts of kindness, inspiration and support happening across the organization and we want to share them out for all to see. Our web team has created a NEW Stay Stony Brook Strong– Connect, Support, Inspire feature on ThePulse homepage. We welcome you to share pictures and messages to keep us all connected, engaged and inspired. We hope they offer comfort and support as you continue to provide exceptional services and care for each other, our patients and the community at large.
Let’s also remember to take a moment to acknowledge the efforts of a co-worker and bring a smile to their face. A simple thank you is all it takes, and if someone is modeling our iCARE core values and exceeding the expectations of a coworker, patient or family, the Stony Brook Stars Program is the way to do it! Star Cards are available to pick up in the Hospital Print Shop, Health Sciences Level 1, Room 075. Continue to share these cards of appreciation per program guidelines.
Happy Nurses Month and Happy Hospital Week to the Stony Brook Medicine family. I am forever grateful for everything you have done and continue to do. Stay #StonyBrookStrong!
Carol