An honorary section for May 6 - 12, 2020
NATIONAL NURSES WEEK - May 6 through 12
GIVE HOPE
Tips for communicating with elderly patients
BY MELISSA ERICKSON | MORE CONTENT NOW
L
earning how to communicate
effectively with aging health-care
consumers is a fundamental skill
for the nurses who treat them.
Laura Reyher, instructor of nursing
at West Texas A&M University, has
dedicated almost her entire career to
providing care to and teaching others
how best to care for geriatric patients.
“Nurses can make a big difference in
their geriatric patients’ lives with the
right communication skills,” she said. “We
can help prevent complications, reduce
the likelihood of being readmitted,
promote recovery, improve their ability
to care for themselves and help keep
them independent as long as possible.”
One of the challenges is that geriatric
patients may be experiencing a variety
of issues, including pain, chronic illness,
disability, sleeplessness or fear of
becoming dependent, Reyher said.
Don’t assume these issues will make
them unable to comprehend what
a nurse is saying. If they don’t have
cognitive problems, “geriatric patients
can always learn new information, but
they usually need a little extra time to
process everything,” Reyher said.
Recognize that an older patient might
have sensory challenges. If he’s lying in
bed, he may have taken off his glasses or
hearing aids, Reyher said.
Make sure patients are in a good state to
listen to your directions. Check to see if
they got enough sleep the night before.
If a patient was up most of the night, she
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may need a nap before you talk with her,
Reyher said.
“Speak slowly; do not shout,” Reyher
said. Many women have higher-pitched
voices, which can be more difficult to
hear. Use a lower tone of voice and add
extra breath-force
in voice when
speaking, Reyher
said.
Remember that
medications can
cause drowsiness,
foggy thinking
and confusion, Make sure there is plenty of white space you care about him.
and that anes- with bullet-point information in order of
Laura Reyher
thesia can have • Always ask patients whether they have
importance. Health-care information family nearby and if they would like
prolonged effects can be like a foreign language
on a patient’s thinking abilities. their family to be present when you
regardless of their educational level. share information. They can be the
A few more of Reyher’s tips to • Tell them to ask their pharmacist to extra set of eyes and ears to help
communicate effectively with geriatric put large print on medicine bottles. absorb the information.
patients: “Medication errors are the leading cause “As a nurse, it’s helpful to recall a senior
• Ask if they would like to go to the of emergency room visits for geriatric adult in your life who was special to you
restroom before your talk. patients,” Reyher said. and think about how you would want
• Be sure there is good lighting in the • Use the “show me, tell me” technique them treated,” Reyher said. Ask a few
room with light on the nurse’s face. after sharing important information to questions about their lives, such as where
Don’t sit with your back to the window. help with understanding and to spot they grew up, what they did for a living or
Turn down the television or close the gaps in knowledge. For example, after if they have grandchildren.
door to limit background noise. demonstrating how to change a wound “Never forget the power of touch. Geriatric
• Always sit down at eye-level dressing, ask the patient to show you patients often feel untouchable and that
where they can easily see you. how to do it. no one cares for them. The nurse’s gentle
• Watch for signs of anxiety, depression touch on their hand or shoulder can tell a
• Use plain language with
no abbreviations or acronyms. and/or hopelessness. patient that they really care about them,”
• Take your time. The tone of your voice Reyher said.
• Provide all handouts with large print
and include only necessary information and the look on your face and in your “Lastly, give hope. Be encouraging and
eyes can demonstrate to a patient that positive. Put a smile in your voice.”
written at about a fifth-grade level.
MESSENGER POST MEDIA CELEBRATES NATIONAL NURSES WEEK • MAY 6th through 12th, 2020 • PAGE 2
 MESSENGER POST MEDIA CELEBRATES NATIONAL NURSES WEEK • MAY 6th through 12th, 2020 • PAGE 3
2020 SALUTE TO NURSES TRIBUTES
Hannah Barnes
Caring, compassionate, loving and fun.
Hannah is a truly dedicated nurse who goes the
extra mile to ensure the utmost of attention
to patients under her care. Hannah earned her
LPN in August 2019 and is currently employed
at the Ewing Continued Care facility next to UR |
Thompson Hospital in Canandaigua.
Holly Barr
Holly works tirelessly to ensure that all patients receive excellent care. Kind
and compassionate. She goes above and beyond everyday.
Amanda Battoglia
Amanda works in the ICU with the critical
pandemic victims. She is risking her life daily,
while also in grad school in the Family Nurse
Practitioner program at the University of
Rochester. She is unable to hug her parents
and brother, who are also essential health
care providers and workers (mother is nurse
practitioner, father runs telemed and mobile
imaging company, and brother letter carrier).
She gives ALL of herself for her peers and patients. She is a certified Registered
Nurse at URMC. She was working in The Burn Step Down Unit when the
pandemic hit. That unit was changed to the Critical Covid 19 patients and so
many nurses are descending to work together for all of these patients. She
has NEVER waivered in her conviction and training to help the patients and
her peers.
Briana N. Bonafede
Briana is a wonderful nurse that loves her work.
Her patients always come first above all else.
THANK YOU for all you do.
Alison Bonenfant
Alison Bonenfant grew up aspiring to be an ED
nurse. She achieved her dream graduating last
year with her masters degree! She tirelessly
works the front lines at Strong ED. We are so
proud of her! Please pray for all of our health
care workers. Where would we be without
them?
ALL OF THEM!
How could we ever pick just one! Could never be just one now ... they ALL
deserve this!
Julie Bourne Barbara Cocilova
My daughter Julie Bourne is a Social Worker at Working at St. John’s Nursing home with the elderly during the day and going
U of R at Strong Hospital! Julie dedicates her home to her family has been very taxing. But she goes in every morning
everyday to assisting her patients and listening knowing full well the dangers.
to all their concerns as well as comforts them
during their hospital stay! She loves her job and Stacie Cooley
risks her healthy life everyday to help others! Stacie does a wonderful job at Clark Manor House working with older people.
Julie is married and has two young boys! She is She is an exceptionally caring and personable nurse. Times are tough and she
not a nurse but her job is an important one as goes the extra mile.
well! I want to thank you Julie Bourne, for all
that you do everyday to help others! Cathy Crosby
Cathy works at FF Thompson Hospital and has the one of the most caring
and sensitive spirits that I have ever seen. She was recently helping and
Stephanie Braya ministering to my mother daily while in intensive care, making her final
Stephie always trys to go above and beyond for each one of her patients. days as comfortable as possible. She was also updating us regularly on her
She works in the Infusion Center at Unity Hospital, offering support and condition, as we weren’t able to go see her. Thanks so much Cathy for being
encouragement to her patients who are often in very difficult situations. there ... it means a ton.
Many of her patients come to think of her as a part of their family, and she
feels the same way. Stephie is highly dedicated to her work! Alexandra Curre
Alex is an RN at Strong Memorial Hospital. She
Timothy Britton is the charge nurse, a unit council member,
Tim is a respiratory therapist at RGH. He has wound and safety champion and is a member
chosen to help people but not to put his own of the UPP team that helps give a voice to
life at risk. God Bless him, and all the other nurses. Alex has received numerous accolades
frontline people today and always. for her compassion and diligence with patients.
She has received employee of the month as
well. One particularly touching story is that
Alex noticed one patient on her watch never
had any visitors. She went out of her way to make him feel special on his
birthday by giving him a birthday card and gift. He was deeply moved by her
Megan Cannan, RN kind gesture and was moved to tears that she cared so much. No matter how
Megan is a nurse in Highland Emergency exhausted Alex is she will always greet her patients with her infectious smile
Department. We are so proud of her for working and beautiful soul. She truly leaves a lasting impression on patients and they
so hard during this pandemic. She like the rest on her. She has worked tirelessly through this pandemic, exposing herself to
of her team are putting in long hours, separated the potentially deadly COVID-19 virus plaguing our world. She has performed
from family and keeping Rochester safe and any task necessary to ensure the safety and well being of her patients and
healthy. staff despite putting her own safety at risk. Amongst all this chaos she is
attending school to complete a Nurse Practitioner degree and excelling in
her courses. Nursing is Alex’s compassion, her drive and her heart. She puts
herself on the frontline every time she goes to work. Alexandra Curre is a true
Dianne Freyer Carfley hero! I am so extremely proud to call her my daughter. We all love you so
Dianne works at Clearfield Hospital! She has a huge heart and has been much Alex. We pray you stay strong and safe.
working through this Corona Pandemic. Hats off to you and your nurse friends
for working hard. Love you! Kelly Doran
Kelly is not just an amazing person but also
Kristen N. Cass the most caring, loving and amazing nurse at
Our daughter Kristen has overcome many FF Thompson Hospital. She typically works in
challenges to become an RN and to obtain the Operating Room but since non-elective
her BSN. Her character embodies love, caring, surgeries have been postponed, she has been
dedication, knowledge and patience, which working on many different floors and many
she brings to her work at F.F. Thompson Hospital different days and shifts to help during this
every day. Her focus is always what is best for pandemic. She has also helped other OR nurses
her patients and their families. She treats her transition up to the floor so they could help out
patients with respect and often calms their also! Kelly is always willing to help out other nurses but her main goal is to
fears and those of their families. We are so very make sure that every patient is getting the best care they deserve!
proud of her and the joy she brings to those in their most difficult times.
 MESSENGER POST MEDIA CELEBRATES NATIONAL NURSES WEEK • MAY 6th through 12th, 2020 • PAGE 4
2020 SALUTE TO NURSES TRIBUTES
Nina Doyle
Nina is A. Maz. Ing! An ER nurse in both RGH
and FF Thompson hospitals and as if that
weren’t enough, a Mercy Flight nurse.So
incredibly humbled by what this child of mine
does. Badass and brave to the bone with the
heart the size of the universe. Be safe baby girl.
We need you.
Sarah Dugan
Our daughter Sarah is one of the most caring,
loving people anyone will ever meet in their
life (outside of nursing, but moreso, in the
hospital!) She was destined to be a nurse to
share her gifts with her patients. She began
her career five years ago working at Rochester
General Hospital, and is currently employed as
a Pediatric Registered Nurse at Rady Children’s
Hospital in San Diego, CA where she is sharing
her love and skills with her fragile patients! We are so proud of her, as well
as, all of the other health care workers out there — giving every one of their
patients 110% of themselves! Our hearts burst with pride, for our daughter
... many long, selfless hours spent, given to patients and to the profession
she loves!
Maureen Flood Tese
Maureen “Mo” Tese is an RN at Clifton Springs
Hospital. We are grateful that her patients
experience her strength and positive attitude.
She steps up when things are challenging, as
they are now during the coronavirus pandemic.
Mo takes on her duties with a positive spirit.
She is calm and competent under stress. Mo is
also a fantastic mom to two of our grandsons.
She is loved by her husband, family and friends.
Mo has received recognition at the hospital for her exemplary work. We
couldn’t be more proud!
Meaghan Francis
Meaghan works as a labor and delivery nurse in
the August Family Birth Place at Unity Hospital.
During this scary and uncertain time, it’s so
refreshing to hear her stories of new life and
hopefulness.
Carla Freeland
I’m am nominating my wife Carla because she always goes above and beyond
and is a loving and caring nurse that works for RRH.
Jamie Giovannini
Jamie is an RN at Industry Secure Facility.
During the early days of the Corona Virus
Pandemic, she selflessly volunteered to help
test potential patients. Without hesitation and
putting her own health at risk, Jamie spent
two weeks travelling around Westchester, NYC
and surrounding areas taking samples to help
in any way she was needed. She is kind, caring
and dependable and always willing to help
whenever possible. Jamie is a triple hero as she is a volunteer firefighter, an
EMT and an RN. She has truly dedicated her life to care for others at all times.
Stacey L. Greenberg RN, BSN
After 28 years of nursing Stacey usually is
working Monday-Friday at Hill Haven, as a
nursing instructor with SJFC, and picks up time
Sunday’s at RRH 6800. Stacey has also been
married for 13 years with four young adults
and many dogs. Stacey is always attacking life
and work as she loves every day on planet earth
and everyday she wakes up is a great day as she
always says. Stacey loves and is loved.
Rosie Gutierrez
She always is so calming and kind whenevermy family and I have had to go
to the Emergency Room.
Michelle Hayslip
Michelle is an amazing combination of competence and compassion. She is
the lead nurse at Sunset House, and always makes sure our residents are well
cared for. We are lucky to have her.
Erika Holland
Erika is a Registered Nurse at University of
Rochester WCC6-BMT. She has always put
others needs and feelings above her own. She
continues to do this as a professional in her
dedication, compassion, concern, commitment,
towards each of her patients.
Christian Jennette
& Sarah Wright
Christian and Sarah work in the Highland
Hospital ED. They are dedicated, caring and
compassionate individuals devoting countless
hours to help others. Their shifts are long,
arduous and exhausting, but they do it because
they love what they do. We thank them and
their health care colleagues for all the work
they do!
Jordan Health RN Care Managers
This team of RNs serve the most underserved members of our community
and they do it with compassion, dedication and skill. They are always there
to assess, educate, encourage, and treat the complex needs of our patients.
During this pandemic they are making sure those in the community with less
access to care are being taken care of while supporting complex needs of the
organization. I am proud to work with these women and men.
Annie Kummer
Annie is one of the most compassionate,
sensitive, caring people I know. She is a hospice
nurse for Rochester Regional Health/Lifetime
Care and is a real hero ... not only during these
difficult times, but at all times.
Jessi Kyte
Jessi is working on her nursing degree and
graduates in December from St. John Fisher.
She is a med surg tech at Rochester Regional
Health and continues to excel in school and
work.
Mindi Lewis
Mindi is one of the most passionate and
dedicated nurses I have ever had the pleasure
of meeting and working beside. She gives her
all to her patients and is the biggest advocate
around! She is always full of smiles and
kindness ... you couldn’t ask for a better nurse!
Mike McDonnel
He is dedicated and is doing a great job during the pandemic. He works at
Unity Hospital.
Mike Maslanik
Mike Maslanik is a nurse at Thompson Hospital.
He is also a loving husband, father of two
beautiful girls, and a dedicated son. Mike is
kind, caring and compassionate. He puts the
needs of others over the needs of himself. Mike
gives his patients the care and encouragement
that they need. Mike also enjoys time with his
family making memories to last a lifetime. He
shows his girls that making a difference is the
most important gift to others and society.
 MESSENGER POST MEDIA CELEBRATES NATIONAL NURSES WEEK • MAY 6th through 12th, 2020 • PAGE 5
HOW TO GAIN MORE NURSES
America needs more nurses. As we live longer and
the need for health care increases, especially among
those with chronic illnesses, the U.S. is running short
on registered nurses.
Among job seekers interest in nursing is high. It is
among the top health care occupations, with the
Bureau of Labor Statistics projecting a significant 12%
job growth by 2028 and possibly over 1 million nursing
job openings by 2022.
Supply cannot meet demand, though. An estimated
200,000 new registered nurses would need to enter
the workforce each year to keep up, according to
RegisteredNursing.org. Currently nurses make up the
largest majority in health care, with about 4 million in
the United States, according to the organization.
“This is not a new phenomenon. We’ve had heightened
shortages before. It’s cyclical. It ebbs and flows,” said
Dr. Catherine Mann, assistant dean for undergraduate
studies in the School of Nursing at University at Buffalo.
The last big nursing shortage occurred around 2001,
she said.
The current shortages could become a long-term
problem especially in certain areas including the
Southern and Western United States, according to the
American Association of Colleges of Nursing.
The reasons are widespread and varied.
“More nurses are retiring than entering the profession,
there are not enough nursing faculty to teach the
amount of students necessary to replace those
BY MELISSA ERICKSON | MORE CONTENT NOW
More nurses are retiring than entering the
profession, there are not enough nursing fac-
ulty to teach the amount of students neces-
sary to replace those retiring, and it is a tough
field to work in with a high burnout rate.
— Cynthia Thurlow
retiring, and it is a tough field to work in with a high
burnout rate,” said nurse practitioner and nutrition
expert Cynthia Thurlow, who previously worked as an
emergency room nurse.
Work-related injuries are a top reason nurses leave
the profession, said Christine T. Kovner, Mathy Mezey
professor of geriatric nursing at New York University
Rory Meyers College of Nursing and a senior faculty
associate at the Hartford Institute for Geriatric Nursing.
“They hurt their backs and necks, stick themselves with
needles. There are many preventable injuries,” Kovner
said.
Simple tasks like handling and moving patients are
more difficult now with 28% of Americans saying
they weighed 200 pounds or more between 2010 and
2019, according to a recent Gallup poll. The average
American now weighs 178 pounds.
A hostile work environment also pushes nurses out of
the profession, said Kovner, who studies new nurses
as they become more experinced. “Nurses eat their
young,” a phrase coined by nursing professor Judith
Meissner, refers to a culture of bullying, hazing and
initiation. “The people who get promoted to nurse
managers tend to be excellent nurses but are often not
trained in management skills,” Kovner said.
Nursing shortages affect patient safety, Mann said.
Lower numbers of nurses can lead to failure to rescue
and can impact death, she said.
To handle the challenge, not only are more education
and faculty needed but increases in state and federal
funding to help new nurses pay for school, Mann said.
Nursing faculty also need to be well paid to train the
next generation. There is little to no incentive for those
in private practice to leave to take nursing faculty
positions or work on advanced degrees, Thurlow said.
It is also important to get the word out that being a
nurse opens many options throughout a career, from
bedside nursing to administration, advanced practice,
academics and more, Thurlow said.
“I truly love being a nurse. It is one of the most
gratifying things I ever chose to do and be, but we have
to start providing incentives to encourage people into
the profession, legislate for safer staffing ratios and
compensation, and work diligently on compensating
nursing faculty,” she said.
MESSENGER POST MEDIA CELEBRATES NATIONAL NURSES WEEK • MAY 6th through 12th, 2020 • PAGE 6
 MESSENGER POST MEDIA CELEBRATES NATIONAL NURSES WEEK • MAY 6th through 12th, 2020 • PAGE 7

ARTIFICIAL
INTELLIGENCE:
SUPPLEMENTING,
NOT REPLACING,
NURSES
BY MELISSA ERICKSON | MORE CONTENT NOW

Artificial intelligence is changing the way nurses Nurses have witnessed advances in health care
care for people. From saving time and money technology through the ages.
to improving decision making and patient care, “Not only are we the ones initiating the changes,
innovation in health care now includes AI at the we are on the front lines to test and tweak the
bedside. AI will be challenged to ever have changes, Burger said. “From test-tube babies to
While we race toward telehealth solutions and the ability to sense or feel what angioplasty to robotic surgeries and the electronic
increased machine learning, experts stress that health record, nurses are not only present but
robots will not replace nurses. Artificial intelligence patients are saying and relate it to essential to the success of these improvements.”
can never take the place of the care, skill and the caring connection provided People often think AI equals robots, but that’s not
art of nursing, said registered nurse Catherine by human touch and connection. the case, Li said. It’s also patients interacting with
Burger, spokeswoman for RegisteredNursing. an iPad logging in to look at lab results, ordering
org, a nonprofit that promotes education and — Catherine Burger
a meal in a hospital and talking to nurses and
employment resources. doctors.
“AI will be challenged to ever have the ability to “What started with a tool to record health
sense or feel what patients are saying and relate it information is rapidly changing into predictability
to the caring connection provided by human touch models that can provide nurses information on a
and connection,” she said. patient’s pending decline so they can intervene earlier in the process,” Burger
“Robots can do a lot, though. These new technologies can help nurses do their said. Once a certain criteria is met, such as an elevated temperature or lab result,
jobs more efficiently,” said Ping Li, instructor of information management in the AI triggers an alert for a nurse or other provider to check in on a patient, Li said.
College of Nursing at University of Wisconsin Oshkosh. Nurses use numerous formats of AI in their practice.
In certain situations, for example treating a patient in isolation for COVID-19, “Smart apps now hold the pharmaceutical, pathophysiology and dosage
a robot with a camera could enter a room and interact with a patient while a calculations we once held in our brains. The electronic health record allows for
nurse remotely controls the robot, viewing the images captured on a computer, clear documentation, communication and even differential diagnosis to help
Li said. drive care and improve patient outcomes,” Burger said.
 MESSENGER POST MEDIA CELEBRATES NATIONAL NURSES WEEK • MAY 6th through 12th, 2020 • PAGE 8

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 MESSENGER POST MEDIA CELEBRATES NATIONAL NURSES WEEK • MAY 6th through 12th, 2020 • PAGE 9
2020 SALUTE TO NURSES TRIBUTES
Shaylan Watts Michalko
Shaylan is a wonderful person inside and out.
She cares for her patients whole heartedly. She
was a single mother of two when she started
her career as an RN at Golisano Children’s
Hospital. She was there for four years. It
gave her enough confidence and training to
venture on to another pediatric clinic, currently
Panorama Pediatrics. She also has been called
upon to go to NYC at Mount Sinai in Queens to
help out with the Coronavirus pandemic. She
has sacrificed being with family to ensure these
patients get through these scary and trying
times. Her soft, sweet voice and skilled training is what makes her a real life
angel, and when it’s needed the most. This is a picture of her and her children
having a FaceTime chat while she is NYC.
M.M. Ewing Continuing Care Center
Everyone at The Pines in Canandaigua deserves to be recognized. Not only
the nurses, but the aides, food services and cleaners. They do such a great
job providing services to all the residents, including my mother-in-law.
Every time we call and want to talk with her over the phone or on FaceTime
they are very accommodating. Thank you for being an essential worker and
keeping the residence safe and well.
Amy Melita
She works tirelessly to help the little kids at UR while taking care of her own
kids. We all love her and appreciate all she does for others. Thanks so much
from all her family.
Cynthia A. Oakes
University of Rochester location, out patient nurse. She was moved to a
triage nurse during this pandemic.
Jennifer Oster
Jennifer is a very caring, giving individual
who recently chose nursing as her career.
She goes the extra mile and is intuitive to her
patient needs. Dedicated and unwavering in
her delivery of care. Jenny works as an RN at
Highland Hospital.
Autumn Palvino
Autumn works at Premier Genesee Rehab in
her position as an Occupational Therapist. Her
dedication to this field is inspiring! She brings
positive energy and a smile to everything she
does.
Meghan Palvino
United Memorial Med Center in Batavia is
where RN Meghan brings her strength and
dedication every day. She also brings her
unborn baby with her now. Bravo for her
strong, fighting spirit and best wishes on the
upcoming birth of her 1st child!
Jenny Pratt
Jenny Ann works at FF Thompson Health
and is one the most caring, compassionate
nurses who is always there for those in need
— she goes above and beyond every day.
Corey Price
My grandson volunteered to work in NYC during this horrid virus as a nurse
and has seen more deaths than he should have to. He works at New York
Presbyterian as emergency room nurse.
Ann Rolph
Annie is a clinical leader at Geneva General. She is a hard working leader
who puts patients first. She is a true patient and nurse advocate and her
knowledge and ability to care for her community is evident in everything
she does.
Georgie Saltzman
Georgie is an awesome person, nurse and mother. Working in the drive-
through Covid-19 testing tents at RGH, she is both compassionate and
professional in working with patients and the public to reassure them during
this trying time.
Joelle Springer
Joelle is the Nursing Manager at Heathwood
Assisted Living in Penfield. She works tirelessly
to insure the 130 residents remain safe and
healthy. This has been especially challenging
during this difficult time. Challenges are
nothing new to Joelle. She was able to earn her
Masters degree while working full time along
with being a mom.
Amy Stender
Amy works tirelessly to treat patients struggling with substance use through
Rochester Regional, Evelyn Brandon Outpatient Clinic. She goes above and
beyond while the care and compassion she holds is seen though every
individual she encounters. Amy sees each patient she works with as an
individual and is the calm in any storm.
Ragan Stevens
Ragan Stevens of Thompson Hospital, for her long hours of dedication, her
positive attitude and being an amazing nurse! Thanks to all of our health care
workers around the country! We love you Ragan!
Brittany Tapscott
A registered nurse at Thompson emergency
department, Brittany is not only an amazing
nurse but an amazing human. She is by far one
of the most kind and compassionate people I
have met! Thanks for all your hard work during
this hard time!
Melissa Turchetti
Missy graduated in May 2019 from Niagara
University as an RN and with her Bachelors
Degree in Nursing. She started working at
Clifton Springs Hospital in September, and has
already become a well-respected and effective
nurse. She loves what she does, and she’s great
at it. As parents we couldn’t be more proud. P.S.
Every single nurse deserves to be recognized.
Cristy Vail
Caring should be Cristy’s middle name. Not only
is she dedicated to her nursing position in the
Strong Palliative Care unit, and to her husband
and son, but she prepares meals for and helps
care for her 90 year old grandmother.
Laurie VanDerMeid
Laurie is one of the most compassionate,
organized, considerate people I know. Today
she is fully dedicated to serving the needs of
her patients. That smile may be hidden behind
a mask, but I am sure it is still shining brightly
for the sake of others. Thank you for all you do
inside the halls of care and outside!
Shannon Webster
RN Intensive Care at Unity Hospital. Very dedicated. Works long hours. Always
thinking about others.
 MESSENGER POST MEDIA CELEBRATES NATIONAL NURSES WEEK • MAY 6th through 12th, 2020 • PAGE 10

2020 SALUTE TO NURSES TRIBUTES

Susan Wachal Messenger Post Media joins the American Nurses
Susan has overcome much adversity in her life with a strength and grace that only God can Association in celebrating National Nurses Week
give. She works as an RN at FF Thompson. At the present time she is working on the Corona beginning each year on May 6th and ending on
Virus unit. She loves her job, works a lot of overtime and makes hospital masks for others in May 12th, Florence Nightingale’s birthday. These
her spare time. She has done volunteer work at an orphanage for the disabled in the Ukraine permanent dates enhance planning and position
and also volunteered as a nurse for a summer camp. She goes above and beyond. National Nurses Week as an established recognition
event. As of 1998, May 8 was designated as National
Student Nurses Day, to be celebrated annually. And
as of 2003, National School Nurse Day is celebrated
on the Wednesday within National Nurses Week
Gwen Williams (May 6-12) each year.
Dedicated to the RGH Emergency Department for 46 years. She has been the coordinator of our new grad program since
2016 helping our new graduate nurses assimilate into the emergency environment. The nursing profession has been supported and
promoted by the American Nurses Association (ANA)
since 1896. Each of ANA’s state and territorial nurses
associations promotes the nursing profession at the
Penfield Central School District state and regional levels. Each conducts celebrations
The Penfield Central School District would like to thank all of our school nurses for on these dates to recognize the contributions that
everything they do to keep our students healthy and safe every day! Thank you to Peggy nurses and nursing make to the community. The 1978 New Jersey Governor Brendon Byrne declared
Hack and Kim Teng (Penfield High School); Susan Cymbal and Katie Parasch (Bay Trail ANA supports and encourages National Nurses May 6 as “Nurses Day.” Edward Scanlan, of Red Bank,
Middle School); Kelly Cooper (Cobbles); Kathy Harris (Harris Hill); Jessica Cropo (Indian Week recognition programs through the state N.J., took up the cause to perpetuate the recognition
Landing); Kathy Richards (Scribner); Christina Smith and Jennifer Wagner (District); Julie and district nurses associations, other specialty of nurses in his state. Mr. Scanlan had this date listed
Pancio (Finney); Eileen Kay (Mercy); and Claudette Crowley (St. Joseph’s). nursing organizations, educational facilities, and in Chase’s Calendar of Annual Events. He promoted the
Christina Smith independent health care companies and institutions. celebration on his own.
A brief history of 1981 ANA, along with various nursing organizations,
National Nurses Week rallied to support a resolution initiated by nurses in New
1953 Dorothy Sutherland of the U.S. Department Mexico, through their Congressman, Manuel Lujan, to
of Health, Education, and Welfare sent a proposal to have May 6, 1982, established as “National Recognition
President Eisenhower to proclaim a “Nurse Day” in Day for Nurses.”
October of the following year. The proclamation was 1982 In February, the ANA Board of Directors formally
never made. acknowledged May 6, 1982 as “National Nurses Day.”The
1954 National Nurse Week was observed from action affirmed a joint resolution of the United States
Julie Pancio Kathy Harris Kathy Richards Claudette Crowley October 11-16. The year of the observance marked Congress designating May 6 as “National Recognition
the 100th anniversary of Florence Nightingale’s Day for Nurses.”
mission to Crimea. Representative Frances P. Bolton 1982 President Ronald Reagan signed a proclamation
sponsored the bill for a nurse week. Apparently, a on March 25, proclaiming “National Recognition Day for
bill for a National Nurse Week was introduced in the Nurses” to be May 6, 1982.
1955 Congress, but no action was taken. Congress 1990 The ANA Board of Directors expanded the
discontinued its practice of joint resolutions for recognition of nurses to a week-long celebration,
national weeks of various kinds. declaring May 6 - 12, 1991, as National Nurses Week.
1972 Again a resolution was presented by the 1993 The ANA Board of Directors designated May 6-12
House of Representatives for the President to as permanent dates to observe National Nurses Week in
Kelly Cooper Kim Teng Peggy Hack Eileen Kay proclaim “National Registered Nurse Day.” It did not 1994 and in all subsequent years.
occur.
1996 The ANA initiated “National RN Recognition Day”
1974 In January of that year, the International on May 6, 1996, to honor the nation’s indispensable
Council of Nurses (ICN) proclaimed that May 12 registered nurses for their tireless commitment 365 days
would be “International Nurse Day.” (May 12 is the a year. The ANA encourages its state and territorial nurses
birthday of Florence Nightingale.) Since 1965, the associations and other organizations to acknowledge
ICN has celebrated “International Nurse Day.” May 6, 1996 as “National RN Recognition Day.”
1974 In February of that year, a week was 1997 The ANA Board of Directors, at the request of the
designated by the White House as National Nurse National Student Nurses Association, designated May 8
Jennifer Wagner Katie Parasch Susan Cymbal Jessica Cropo Week, and President Nixon issued a proclamation. as National Student Nurses Day.
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