Please ensure Javascript is enabled for purposes of website accessibility
Skip to main content

Delaware Legislators Pass Resolution Recognizing National Nurses Week

 

The Delaware House of Representatives passed a resolution Tuesday, May 5, in Dover, recognizing the dedication and importance of nurses. A team of Beebe Healthcare nurses and leaders were present to speak on behalf of the resolution.

Rep. Ruth Briggs King (R-Georgetown) presented House Concurrent Resolution 26, which recognizes the week of May 6-12 as National Nurses Week. This resolution was passed unanimously.

“The American Nurses Association, as the voice for the registered nurses of this country, is working to chart a new course for a healthy nation that relies on increasing delivery of primary and preventative healthcare,” Rep. Briggs King said. “Professional nursing is an indispensable component in the safety and quality of care offered to hospitalized patients.”

Theresa Houston, RN, Chair of Beebe Healthcare’s Nursing Global Leadership Council, led a group of seven nurses from the council to accept and speak on behalf of the resolution. Attending the resolution session were Rick Schaffner, RN, Beebe Executive Vice President/Chief Operating Officer; Bridget Buckaloo, RN, Beebe's Executive Director of Women's Health; Stephan Betins-Kinnamon, RN; Melissa Heldreth, RN; Laura Smith, RN; and Jennifer Hargreaves, RN.

In her address to the legislators, Houston emphasized the impact nurses have on patients. “During some of the best and worst of times in your life, you can probably remember a nurse standing at your bedside,” Houston said. “All of us are using healthcare as consumers and all of us have contact with nurses.

“We are the nurse, the friend, the neighbor you call whenever you have a healthcare question,” said Houston. “Nurses are educators, preceptors, and mentors. It is our job to ensure the next generation of nurses are well prepared for the future of healthcare and also well prepared to take care of us.”

Along with the American Nurses Association, Beebe Healthcare declared the week of May 6-12, 2015, as National Nurses Week with the theme – Ethical Practice. Quality Care. This week celebrates the ways in which registered nurses strive to provide safe and high quality patient care and map out the ways to improve our healthcare system, Briggs King said.

“We celebrate registered nursing’s accomplishments and efforts to improve our healthcare system and show our appreciation for the nation’s registered nurses not just during this week, but at every opportunity throughout the year,” Briggs King said.

Beebe Healthcare is hosting events and giveaways through May 12 to recognize the work and dedication shown by Beebe nurses every day.

“It’s time to celebrate and recognize the great work and exceptional care all of our nurses contribute to each day at Beebe Healthcare. Nurses at Beebe have a passion for the profession of nursing, a strong commitment to quality, and a commitment to making a difference every day in the lives of Beebe’s patients and families. Nurses comfort, listen, and provide quality care, not only to our patients, but also their families, and the community as a whole,” said Steven Rhone, RN, BSN, MS, NE-BC, Vice President of Patient Care Services.

Schaffner said, “Nurses always place their patient’s care above all else. I am so proud of the nurses at Beebe Healthcare and proud to have them recognized through this House Resolution.”

Beebe Healthcare is a not-for-profit community healthcare system with a charitable mission to encourage healthy living, prevent illness, and restore optimal health for the people residing, working, or visiting in the communities we serve. It offers services throughout Southern Delaware for residents and visitors, including a 210-licensed-bed hospital, a cancer center, and outpatient facilities providing walk-in care, lab, imaging, and physical rehab services. For more information, please visit us online at Beebe Healthcare.

Caption-Beebe group1: Members of the Beebe Healthcare Nursing Global Leadership Council attended the presentation of House Concurrent Resolution 26 at Legislative Hall in Dover. Shown (left to right) are Rick Schaffner, RN, Beebe Executive Vice President/Chief Operating Officer; Stephan Betins-Kinnamon, RN; Melissa Heldreth, RN; Bridget Buckaloo, RN, Beebe's Executive Director of Women's Health; Theresa Houston, RN; Laura Smith, RN; and Jennifer Hargreaves, RN.

Caption-Beebe group2: Shown are the members of Beebe Healthcare’s nursing team as the resolution recognizing National Nurses Week is being presented in the Delaware House of Representatives. At right, Rep. Ruth Briggs King (R-Georgetown) talks about the importance of nursing.