May is the month for all of us to take some time and acknowledge all that nurses do for us.
May 6 and May 6-12 are National Nurses Day and National Nurse’s Week, with the American Nurses Association recognising the amazing achievements of nurses everywhere for the entire month of May. Needless to say, there are so many things to be thankful for when we think of nurses.
So let’s take a moment to recognize all the wonderful nurses and the changes they have made for the world.
Nurses Of Yesterday
- Florence Nightingale and Modern Nursing: Florence Nightingale, often considered the founder of modern nursing, made groundbreaking advancements in healthcare during the Crimean War in the 19th century. She implemented strict hygiene practices and established the principles of nursing education and patient care that are still followed today.
- Clara Barton and the American Red Cross: Clara Barton, a pioneering nurse during the American Civil War, founded the American Red Cross in 1881. The organization has since provided disaster relief, support to military families, blood donation services, and health and safety education worldwide.
- Mary Seacole’s Contributions: Mary Seacole, a Jamaican-born nurse, provided medical care to wounded soldiers during the Crimean War. Despite facing racial prejudice, she established the British Hotel near the battlefield, where she offered care and comfort to soldiers of all nationalities.
- Dorothea Dix and Mental Health Reform: Dorothea Dix, a nurse and social reformer in the 19th century, advocated for improved treatment of the mentally ill. Her efforts led to the establishment of mental hospitals and reforms in mental healthcare across the United States and Europe.
- Lillian Wald and Public Health Nursing: Lillian Wald, a nurse and social reformer, founded the Henry Street Settlement in New York City in 1893. This organization provided healthcare, social services, and education to impoverished communities, laying the groundwork for modern public health nursing.
Nurses Of Today
Dr. Jeanette Ives Erickson: In early 2020, Jeanette came out of retirement to open the first field hospital in Boston in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. She is a 2011 graduate of the Doctor of Nursing program at the MGH Institute of Health Professions. After a career spanning 5 decades, Dr. Jeannette Ives Erickson was awarded the Margretta Madden Styles Presidents Award. She has also been recognized by the American Academy of Nursing and the American Red Cross for her outstanding accomplishments throughout her career.
Bonnie Castillo, RN: Named as Time Magazine’s 100 Most Influential People of 2020, Bonnie was instrumental in the response to the COVID-19 Pandemic. She was among the first to alert the nation to the PPE shortage impacting healthcare workers across the USA, and also advocated on behalf of nurses who were facing layoffs and pay cuts as the pandemic was tearing through and overwhelming hospitals. Her heart lies not only with the care and well-being of her patients, but also with the well-being of her colleagues.
Eric Teague-Hellon: Eric began his career in 2004 in the 202 Field Hospital in Birmingham as a combat medic. From there, he worked his way through a career focused on justice and compassion, spending time as a forensic nurse and working with the homeless through a charity that he set up in Staffordshire, UK. His own history with PTSD has given him extraordinary compassion for others who struggle with physical and mental health due to their own trauma. Eric was honored in 2023 with the Nursing Times Nurse of The Year Award in recognition of all the good he puts out into the world through his work as a nurse.
Lauren Underwood, RN: Lauren is a congresswoman, serving in the 14th congressional district of Illinois. She graduated from the University of Michigan with a degree in nursing, and also earned two nursing degrees from Johns Hopkins University. She decided to run for congress when the sitting representative had voted to appeal important healthcare legislation, which she felt would leave millions of Americans with pre-existing health conditions, like Lauren, unable to afford medical care. Upon winning her seat, Lauren became the youngest Black woman to ever be elected to congress. Lauren has since cofounded the Black Maternal Health Caucus, which works to improve maternal outcomes and health disparities.
Ernest Grant, RN, MSN: Ernest began his career more than 30 years ago and is known, today, as a leading expert in burn care and fire safety. His career has taken him overseas to provide training to troops in Iraq & Afghanistan. In 2002, he received an award for treating burn victims at the World Trade Center on 9/11. He has also previously been posted as a burn outreach coordinator for the North Carolina Jaycee Burn Center at University of North Carolina Hospitals in Chapel Hill. Here, he provided education to many healthcare professionals in how to properly care for burns. Currently, Ernest also served as the 36th president , and first Black president, of the American Nurses Association, which is America’s largest nurses organization with more than 4 million nurses listed in its membership.
Nurses We’ve Been Honored To Work With In The Mission Field
The following are merely just a few of the nurses that we, at Mission Partners For Christ, have worked with over the years. We are so very grateful for every one of our nurse volunteers. Even if you don’t see your photo here, please just know that we are also thinking of you. And we thank each and every one of you for your service alongside us for the Kingdom of God!
A Big And Warm “THANK YOU!” To All Of Our Nurse Volunteers
We truly could not do this work without you.
Are you a nurse who is looking to use your skills for the Kingdom of God? We invite you to join us on a medical mission trip. Learn more about upcoming opportunities here!
