After a long, challenging year for our healthcare workers, it is important to recognize and honor their dedication to our neighbors, friends and family members when faced with unprecedented challenges. Prowers Medical Center plans to show its appreciation for our healthcare community during this year’s National Nurses Week and National Hospital Week in May.

“We have never been more thankful for and appreciative of our staff, and it’s important to recognize all hospital staff for their admirable commitment and dedication to our surrounding communities,” said Karen Bryant, Chief Executive Officer of Prowers Medical Center. “Our team demonstrated strength, resiliency and compassion as we navigated through the uncertainty and many challenges that we experienced with the health crisis. We remain focused on our community and the people we serve.”

This year, Prowers Medical Center will celebrate National Nurses Week from May 6 – 12 and National Hospital Week from May 9 – 15. Last year, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, no formal celebrations took place; but now, with hope on the horizon, Prowers Medical Center administration will make up for lost time and has a few surprise celebrations in place for healthcare providers and staff.

Nurses Week: Year of the Nurse

Caring. Compassionate. Competent. Courageous. Committed. These are the words used by clinical managers at Prowers Medical Center when asked to describe the nurses on their teams.

The celebration of Nurses Week begins today to shine a spotlight on all nurses who devote their lives to making their patients’ lives better. Nurses made such a difference in patients’ lives in last year that the World Health Assembly designated 2020 as the International Year of the Nurse and the Midwife.

“Our nurses remain dedicated to caring for our community day after day,” said Naomi Fowler, Acute Care Services Manager at Prowers Medical Center. “They prioritize continuing education to provide evidence-based care through everchanging times. I am amazed by them every single day and appreciate their dedication to the profession, to our hospital and to our community.”

At Prowers Medical Center, all nursing teams, providers and ancillary staff work together to provide the best patient outcomes. Tina Sandoval, Chief Clinical Officer at Prowers Medical Center, said nurses are the backbone of the hospital and clinics.

“Several nurses at Prowers Medical Center have grown up and live in our community,” Sandoval said. “They are taking care of their own loved ones, their own neighbors and their own friends. This is what makes our hospital a special place to work.”

To celebrate National Nurses Week, Prowers Medical Center encourages all staff to honor the nursing team. Nurses’ names are hung throughout the main hallway for all to see and recognize. To show gratitude, gifts and notes of appreciation are distributed to the nursing team throughout the week.

“Nurses Week celebrates the investment of around-the-clock commitment nurses have for the health of our entire community,” said Andrea Crespin, interim Surgical Services Manager at Prowers Medical Center. “It also focuses on conveying appreciation for their perpetual hard work and dedication.”

“Nurses Week is a perfect opportunity to show our nursing teams how much they are valued and appreciated each and every day,” said Leslie Day, Emergency Services Manager at Prowers Medical Center. “As the impact of COVID-19 began to manifest in our hospital and clinic, our nurses and ancillary staff found themselves in situations never seen before, frequently working long hours and handling evolving guidance on caring for patients with the virus. It goes without saying — it was an emotional toll. Our nurses are champions and continue to prepare and educate for any storm that lies in wait.”

Hospital Week: Inspiring Hope through Healing

National Hospital Week aims to highlight how hospitals, health systems and healthcare workers across the nation support the needs of their communities in innovative ways, especially during the pandemic. This year’s theme is “Inspiring Hope through Healing,” and Prowers Medical Center staff, nurses, providers and physicians are representative of this theme, always delivering compassionate, high-quality care. From emergency services and general surgery to women’s health and primary care, our team works hard all year long to ensure patients stay safe, healthy and happy in every stage of life.

“2020 was a year like none of us had ever experienced at Prowers Medical Center,” said Michelle Pollart, Human Resources Manager and leader of the Employee Engagement Committee at Prowers Medical Center. “The fear of the unknown came at us quickly, in different ways and from many different directions. But through it all, our team is now stronger than ever before.”

Pollart said the Employee Engagement Committee has special events planned during Hospital Week to brighten the days of healthcare workers and to provide them with some fun activities, all while caring for patients.

“We want to recognize our team members for their dedication, hard work and contributions they have shown to the community,” she said. “During this week, the community can help show their support of our healthcare team by simply telling them ‘thank you’ for all of the work they do.”

To show your appreciation for local healthcare workers, please submit a “Thank You” note electronically through our website at www.prowersmedical.com/thank-you-form.