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72nd MDG nurses, medical technicians honored during ‘National Nurses Week’

  • Published
  • By Brandice J. O'Brien
  • Tinker Public Affairs
TINKER AIR FORCE BASE, Okla. --  It has been a good week to be a 72nd Medical Group nurse or medical technician. Throughout National Nurses Week, May 6-12, the staff has been recognized and honored for their contributions to the career field.

In honor of the event themed, "Advocating, Leading, Caring," 72nd MDG senior nurses and leadership organized several activities for the staff of approximately 125 personnel.

Activities included a breakfast, chair massages, luncheon, ice-cream social and trivia game with prizes. This year's theme is very fitting as nursing is recognized in a national Gallup Organization, a research-based performance-management consulting company, poll as the most trusted profession for their roles as advocates for the 10th year in a row.

"Nursing is the largest portion of the healthcare workforce. When you think about the
workforce - doctors, pharmacists and all the pieces that go into delivering healthcare - nursing makes up the bulk of that," said Lt. Col. Christine Berberick, 72nd MDG chief nurse, 72nd Medical Support Squadron commander, and event organizer. "That is true here, too, at the med group. So, we have the largest opportunity to engage with the patients and make a difference."

National Nurses Week was first observed Oct. 11-16, 1954; and held in collaboration with the 100th anniversary of modern nursing pioneer Florence Nightingale's mission to Crimea. Within the same year, a bill for a National Nurses Week was introduced in Congress, but no action was taken. In February 1974, then President-Richard Nixon signed a proclamation that one week designated by the White House would be honored as "National Nurse Week." In March 1982, then- President Ronald Reagan signed a proclamation declaring May 6 of that year to be "National Recognition Day for Nurses."

In 1990, the American Nurses Association expanded the appreciation for nurses to a week, May 6-12, 1991. In 1993, the ANA Board of Directors marked the May 6-12 week as the permanent "National Nurses Week," as May 12 is also Ms. Nightengale's birthday. If she were still alive, this year would mark her 192nd birthday.

Lt. Col. Darlene Foley, 72nd MDG Education and Training Flight commander, said she looked forward to the week-long celebration.

"Nurses should be proud of what they do and what they contribute to the mission and the wellness of our patients," she said. "I think sometimes we get beat down a little bit, but it's a good profession and we work hard and people need to be proud of what we do."
Tech. Sgt. Mary Rokitka, 72nd MDG Education and Training Flight noncommissioned-officer-in-charge, said she, too, looks forward to the week.

"This event brings nurses and techs together for recognition and builds camaraderie," she said.