Issue link: https://beckershealthcare.uberflip.com/i/1521009
28 CMO / CARE DELIVERY 12 hospital executives' thank-you notes to nurses By Mariah Taylor and Kelly Gooch In honor of National Nurses Month and National Nurses Week (May 6-12), hospitals and health systems are recognizing the difference nurses make in their organizations. e American Nurses Association's theme of National Nurses Week, "Nurses Make the Difference," highlights nursing excellence and how nurses embody the spirit of compassion and care in every healthcare setting. Here are two ways nurses show excellence and commitment to care: 1. Nurses walk an average of four miles during a 12-hour shi, according to studies cited by NurseTogether. 2. For more than two decades, nursing has been rated at the top of the list of the "most honest and ethical professions" in the country, according to Gallup. Becker's collected messages of appreciation from hospital and health system leaders across the U.S. Editor's note: Responses have been lightly edited for brevity and clarity. Christie Dawson, MSN, RN. Vice President and Chief Nursing Officer at Memorial Hermann Cypress Hospital (Houston): In celebration of Nurses Month, I want to take a moment to honor the dedicated team at Memorial Hermann Cypress. Recognized consistently as the most honest and ethical profession, these nurses exemplify these qualities each day. It is my privilege to work with these incredible nurses every day. eir hard work is evident in everything they do, from the miles they walk to the comfort they provide. ey are truly the backbone of health in our community. eir passion for nursing not only inspires their colleagues but also makes a profound impact on the lives of patients and their families. ank you to this remarkable team for everything they do. It is a privilege to acknowledge their commitment and celebrate their invaluable contributions. Meredith Foxx, MSN, APRN. Executive Chief Nursing Officer at Cleveland Clinic: During this year's National Nurses Week, I want to thank every nurse and nursing caregiver at Cleveland Clinic. No matter your specialty, each one of you plays an essential role in helping us provide the highest-quality care to our patients. I watch in awe as your empathy, skill and unwavering dedication to the professional practice of nursing makes a positive impact in the lives of those around you. I am honored to recognize each of you for the expert, compassionate care you provide every day. Nursing is — and always will be — the most humbling, meaningful and rewarding of any profession. To be a nurse isn't what you do, It's who you are. is week and always, we celebrate the powerful role you play as a nurse and all you do for our patients, organization, community and each other. Wendi Goodson-Celerin, DNP, RN. Senior Vice President and Chief Nursing Executive at Tampa (Fla.) General Hospital: In honor of National Nurses Week, it is my tremendous privilege to express my deepest gratitude to you, my nursing colleagues, for all that you do to make a difference every day in the lives of your patients and their families and the communities that you serve. In this most trusted profession, you serve as a beacon of hope and a source of comfort. You are the backbone of healthcare as you use your skills and knowledge to practice at the highest level of nursing. You put patients first by advocating for them, understanding them, listening to them and treating each individual in your care with compassion. Your incredible and tireless efforts, especially during the most challenging times, deserve the utmost respect and admiration. For all this and so much more, I cannot thank you enough. I'm so proud to call the millions of nurses around the country my colleagues. Image Credit: Adobe Stock