A Salute to Our Healthcare Providers
May is an important month for hospitals and nurses. While national and international organizations designate special health-related observances every month, May is the time that health systems across the U.S. celebrate National Nurses Month, National Nurses Week and National Hospital Week.
National Nurses Month/National Nurses Week
Nursing dates back to the mid-1800s when Florence Nightingale helped save lives by creating a caring environment that promoted patient health and well-being. Today, nurses go above and beyond providing patient- and family-centered care while they serve as advocates, educators and counselors.
As the largest group of health care professionals in the U.S., the impact of nurses on health and health care is unparalleled. Each year, the American Nurses Association (ANA) observes National Nurses Month from May 1-31. National Nurses Month provides opportunities to promote understanding and awareness of the profession, encourages young people to consider careers in nursing and recognizes the vast contributions of nurses.
The ANA also has designated May 6-12 as National Nurses Week. Held annually since 1954, National Nurses Week was founded by the organization to celebrate the role nurses play in delivering high-quality care to patients around the world. National Nurses Week coincides with the birthday of Florence Nightingale, which falls on May 12. This date serves as a way to honor her contributions to the profession.
“Nursing is a calling. I cannot name another profession that impacts lives in so many ways,” said Heather Franci, MBHA, BSN, RN, Chief Nursing Officer, Service Line Director Heart Center, Lung Center, Brain and Spine and Oncology Services at Penn Highlands Healthcare. “Today’s nurses are more than caregivers; they are advocates, teachers, critical thinkers, counselors and innovators – all while giving unwavering emotional support.”
National Hospital Week
Hospitals and health systems throughout the U.S., including Penn Highlands Healthcare, will observe National Hospital Week May 11-17, 2025.
Each year, America’s hospitals and health systems care for 32 million people admitted to hospitals, employ 6.3 million people and provide emergency care for 137 million people. Patients and communities rely on the wide range of critical health care services that only hospitals and health systems can provide, including 24/7 emergency and other higher-acuity care.
National Hospital Week is an opportunity to highlight hospitals, health systems and health care workers and the innovative ways they are supporting the needs of their community members.
Penn Highlands Healthcare values our nurses, providers and all employees who are committed to our patients every day. Through their skill, compassion and selflessness, we are able to provide high-quality, advanced medicine in the communities we serve.