Dear Colleagues,
Without question, our nurses are the world’s best. Your commitment and bravery throughout the pandemic and since continue as a source of inspiration.
Although there are events being held throughout the month, as the formal end of Nurses Week comes to a close, I want to recognize and express my gratitude to each of you for your many contributions to VUMC’s success.
The special activities this week, the events and celebrations held in your honor, are in recognition of the critical role each of you holds in our organization.
Historically, what began with a Presidential proclamation in 1982 as a “National Recognition Day for Nurses” was extended in 1990 to recognize Nurses Week. However, a week doesn’t allow adequate time to recognize all that you do. Now, there are events throughout May culminating with our Nursing leader Marilyn Dubree’s State of Nursing Address later this month.
I hope that you have been able to take time to participate in the many special events, whether in the Blessing of Hands or in the evidence-based practice poster presentations and award ceremonies taking place at each of our hospitals and for our ambulatory teams through the Vanderbilt Medical Group. I want to offer my congratulations to each of you, including our Nursing award nominees and recipients.
Through their letters of recognition and responses to satisfaction surveys, our patients consistently rate you as the very best. You are making a difference throughout our community and nationally. The recent achievement of a fourth consecutive Magnet designation for our hospitals and clinics signals to the world you are at the pinnacle of your profession.
Dr. Pinson and I want to thank you for all that you do. Your work inspires us all.
Sincerely,
Jeff Balser, MD, PhD
President and CEO, VUMC
Dean, Vanderbilt University School of Medicine
