JOINT BASE SAN ANTONIO-RANDOLPH, Texas –
A former Army nurse who served in the Battle of Normandy during World War II will present the keynote speech at a dinner at 7:30 p.m. May 8 in the Parr Club as the 359th Medical Group observes National Nurses Week Wednesday through May 12.
Josephine Perscatore-Reeves, who played a role in setting up the first field hospital at the Battle of Normandy, will join other nursing service veterans from World War II to the present as guests at the dinner.
Lt. Col. Cynthia Weidman, 359th MDG chief nurse, said the national theme for National Nurses Week is "Ethical and Quality Health Care," but the 359th MDG selected the theme "Embrace the Past, Envision the Future and Engage the Present."
"We took a spin on the national theme to come up with our own theme to fit the mission of the military setting," she said.
National Nurses Week at Joint Base San Antonio-Randolph will kick off on National Nurses Day Wednesday with clinic-specific special activities and will conclude May 12 in the dental conference room with a cake-cutting ceremony to celebrate the birthday of Florence Nightingale, founder of the nursing profession and pioneer of modern nursing, who was born May 12, 1820.
Weidman said National Nurses Week celebrates the contributions of registered nurses, licensed vocational nurses and medical technicians - "the highly skilled professionals who possess critical-thinking, problem-solving and care-coordination skills that ensure patient safety."
Nurses and technicians "are at the forefront of health care innovations every day and everywhere," Weidman said.
"In many different ways, nurses and techs are working together to improve the quality of nursing services and their work environment," she said.
At the 359th MDG, more than 80 RNs, LVNs and technicians - active-duty members, Department of Defense civilians and contractors - provide care in family health, women's health, pediatrics, flight medicine and immunizations.
Nurses bring a wealth of experience to the clinic, Weidman said.
"The majority of active-duty nurses have advanced degrees in nursing or healthcare-related degrees," she said. "All nurses have at least three years of experience in nursing prior to being assigned to an outpatient clinic. The nurses within the 359th MDG have an average of 16 years of nursing experience ranging from inpatient medical, surgical, trauma and emergency/intensive care to women's health, case management and disease management."
Weidman said civilian nurses, who have worked in military facilities for several years or have prior military experience, "provide a stable foundation for the patient-centered medical home teams."
Senior Master Sgt. Janeen Harris, 359th Medical Operations Squadron superintendent, said enlisted medical technicians "enable the Air Force mission."
"Without healthy pilots or maintenance personnel, we would not be able to keep the planes in the air," she said. "Enlisted medics not only take care of our active-duty population, but also take care of families and retirees and, by doing this, it lowers the stress levels of our active-duty population so they can get their mission done."
Harris said medics introduce beneficiaries to the clinic.
"When you come into the clinic for an appointment, it is a medic who will do your initial intake and get your medical history, vital signs and prepare you for the visit with your provider," she said.
Harris also said medics receive extensive training.
"All medics are nationally registered emergency medical technicians," she said. "This allows us to work in emergency departments and respond to 911 calls. Although we do not have an emergency room on base, our medics are still prepared to take care of our patients in any emergency situation."
The observance dates back to 1954, when "National Nurse Week" marked the 100th anniversary of Nightingale's mission to Crimea, but it wasn't officially recognized by the United States until President Richard Nixon signed a proclamation 20 years later.
In 1993, the American Nurses Association Board of Directors declared May 6-12 as permanent dates to observe National Nurses Week.