The week raises awareness about nursing and also to educate the public about the kind of work nurses do and gives all an opportunity to say thanks. (Image courtesy of Scott AFB)

Scott Air Force Base and its installation partners kicked off the celebration of National Nurses and Medical Technicians Week on May 6, where nurses and medical technicians were saluted all across America through May 12.

The week raises awareness about nursing and also to educate the public about the kind of work nurses do and gives all an opportunity to say thanks.

The American Nurses Associations 2017 theme for National Nurses and Medical Technicans Week is “The Balance of Mind, Body and Spirit.” The festivities focus on improving the health of nurses and technicians that goes beyond self-care.

Every time a nurse interacts with a patient, he or she has an opportunity to be a role model for good health.

A healthy nurse is more likely to talk to a patient about how to get healthy and is more credible when promoting those behaviors. This is how nurses and medical technicians can impact the health and wellness of patients here and abroad.

Several activities were planned for Scott nurses and technicians that focuses on healthfulness.

To coincide with Florence Nightingale’s birthday on May 12, National Nurses Week is May 6-12. The week celebrates the legacy of Nightingale, a nurse who became famous for treating wounded soldiers during the Crimean War, and for her work in establishing nursing as a profession in its own right. Nightingale founded a nursing school in 1860, providing the first type of professional nursing establishment.

Scott AFB has a current nursing force of over 350 members and a deep rooted military medical legacy of its own. The history of aeromedical evacuation is directly tied to the early days of Scott Field. The first aeromedical evacuation mission took place on Aug. 24, 1918, when a Curtis JN-4D Jenny aircraft was converted into an air ambulance to transport an aviator with a broken leg.

Now, almost 100 years later, the aeromedical evacuation and medical missions at Scott are in full force. Scott’s rich history and proud heritage of the nursing and medical technicians continues this year in the Centennial celebration of Team Scott.

Nurse’s week is a great opportunity to reflect on the nursing profession. The military recognizes the contributions of all nurses’ and medical technicians’ commitment to the care of America’s warriors and their families. This represents the best of the nursing profession.

— Scott AFB celebrates Nurses and Medical Technicians Week –