Nurses are Freeman Health System’s backbone, demonstrating empathy and loving care as they diligently meet the healthcare needs of Freeman’s patients every single day.

Freeman’s nurses will be showered with treats, praise and more than a few hugs from Freeman officials during National Nurses Week. The special week kicked off Monday morning with a pancake feed and will wrap up this Friday with a birthday bash for Florence Nightingale – the iconic founder of modern nursing.

“Our leadership team absolutely loves showering our nurses with the love and respect that they deserve during this very special time of year,” said Jeanee Kennedy, Freeman’s Chief Nursing Officer.

“Each year, we celebrate nurses during the week of Florence Nightingale’s birthday. In celebrating Florence and the contributions she made to our field, we also celebrate the longstanding history of a profession rooted in trust, compassion and selflessness,” Kennedy said. “Nurses always answer the call to serve and heal the communities in which they reside. We are blessed at Freeman to have an amazing team of nurses.”

Remaining celebrations scheduled for both Freeman Hospital West and East include:

• Barbecue and the Blessing of the Hands ceremony, 11:00 am to 2:00 pm on Wednesday, May 10.
• Florence Nightingale’s birthday bash and nurses’ stations judging from 1:00 to 4:00 pm on Friday, May 12.

“The importance of nursing at Freeman cannot be overstated,” said Nicki Lopez, Freeman’s Clinical Compliance Specialist. “Our nurses are the lifeline of our health system. They not only care for their patients, but also for the patient’s family and their coworkers. They truly make a difference in Freeman as they empower patients with their knowledge, emotional support, and a caring touch.”

Without nursing, Lopez continued, “hospitals would be unable to function adequately.”