It was my honor to attend the recent Nightingale Awards for Excellence in Nursing reception. The Nightingale Awards for Excellence is Connecticut’s largest statewide nursing recognition program which pays tribute to nurses from throughout the region who personify excellence in their profession. Personally, I was especially proud to represent the UConn Health Center and the 10 Nightingale winners from throughout the Health Center. It was also gratifying to spend time with the Health Center winners and to learn more about the challenges and rewards of their careers.
Every day – in areas including our life-saving cardiac catheterization lab; our scleroderma service, part of the New England Musculoskeletal Institute; Correctional Managed Care; the NICU and more – these nurses advocate for patients and families, mentor colleagues and students and embrace creative, quality-improvement initiatives. Their work improves the lives of our patients on many levels and in many ways, and at the same time, inspires their peers and other members of our medical teams.
As an orthopaedic surgeon, I fully appreciate the vital role nurses play in the well-being of our patients. I am very proud of the UConn Health Center award winners and all nurses who contribute to the health of our region. Congratulations!