National Nurses Week is a yearly celebration recognizing nurses and the vital role they play in our communities and healthcare organizations. Each year, we celebrate Nurses Week beginning May 6, National Nurses Day, and concluding on May 12, the birthday of Florence Nightingale, the founder of modern nursing. When considering this year’s national theme, “Nurses Make the Difference,” Nightingale’s words come to mind, “For the sick, it is important to have the best.” And indeed, we are fortunate to have over 3,000 of the best nurses right here within our walls.
Our nurses at UVA Health University Medical Center are incredible caregivers, collaborators, contributors, and catalysts for growth; always committed to our mission, pursuing excellence in all they do. And one of the ways we are celebrating our long history of having the best nurses is through the UVA Nurse Legacy Hall of Fame.
A special installation has been set up in the University Medical Center cafeteria breezeway honoring nurses who have been a part of our organization for over 35 years. Each star has the name of a nurse who has served countless patients, delivering babies, saving lives, and providing comfort to families in their time of need. It is truly incredible to think of how many lives in our community have been touched by the hands of these stars. I want to give special recognition to our longest-tenured nurse, Betty Phillips, who has been with UVA Health for 60 years!
The Hall of Fame will be up until Sunday, May 12, and I encourage you to visit and learn the names and faces of these living legacies of our organization and our community!
To all of our UVA Health nurses, whether it’s your first day or your 21,900th day, you make the difference in the lives of our patients, and for that, we are immensely grateful.
As we celebrate this National Nurses Week, please join me in thanking our nurses for providing the highest level of patient care, ensuring the best possible patient experience, and advancing the profession of nursing. Take a moment to send a message to those nurses who play a meaningful role in your life – let them know they make a difference!
UVA Health Nurses, I hope you will take the time to participate in this week’s special activities and celebrations held in your honor. Thank you for delivering hope and healing through your expert, compassionate care. I am humbled and honored to work alongside such an amazing team of nursing professionals.
Take care and be well,
Wendy