Logansport Memorial Hospital takes great pride in using every opportunity to recognize the outstanding men and women who serve our patients and communities across the north central Indiana region. One specific opportunity to do that each year is during the nationally recognized Nurses Week and Hospital Week, which always coincide together around Florence Nightingale's birthday on May 12. This year, National Nurses Week is observed May 6-12 and National Hospital Week is observed May 9-15.
As a not-for-profit community hospital, Logansport Memorial is driven by our mission -- making "Your Health Our Passion." We continue to invest in our people and our services, because we know that by doing so we are impacting the health and wellness of Cass and surrounding counties. We are striving to bring innovative care options and specialty services closer to home for our patients, so they get what they need comfortably and conveniently. Everything we do is focused on advancing our standards and delivering healthcare that exceeds expectations. That commitment to excellence is only made possible by the hundreds of staff at our hospital campus and across our four off-site clinics, and for that, we are truly thankful.
For National Nurses Week, Chief Nursing Officer Tara McVay has planned a few small tokens of appreciation to be gifted to nurses across the hospital as part of their celebration. "Nursing is one of the most rewarding careers, but also one of the most challenging," commented Tara. "During the unprecedented events of COVID-19, and the ongoing industry changes in providing high-quality patient care, we want to recognize our nurses and the daily impact they have on our patients' lives. Our nurses have many roles all across the hospital -- from staff nurse to nursing leader and educator to nurse practitioner -- and they serve in those roles with a passion for the profession and a strong commitment to patient safety. We are thankful for the work they do every day."
In honor of all hospital employees and to commemorate National Hospital Week, Logansport Memorial will take time to celebrate their hard work and dedication with some fun, internal events. Throughout the week, hospital employees will be treated to various snacks and treats. A "Food Truck Fest" is planned, with selected local food trucks coming on-site to the hospital to offer limited menu options available to our employees for a special meal. Additionally, the annual free Employee Cookout will take place at the end of the week, where the hospital leadership team takes time to serve a casual meal to all staff members and express their appreciation for all that they do.
With COVID-19 precautions still in place, these meals and treats will look a little different this year, and will be packaged individually to meet appropriate food preparation standards. Nonetheless, it's a celebration that even COVID-19 will not diminish, and one that LMH employees look forward to each year.
Logansport Memorial Hospital also uses National Hospital Week to recognize employees for educational awards or their years of service to the organization. Logansport Memorial is fortunate to have many employees who have made the hospital their chosen place to work for the duration of their careers. Because of the timing with COVID-19 during 2020's National Hospital Week, these awards for educational achievements and years of service were not properly recognized, out of respect for the resources needed and attention being given to our pandemic response. Now, we will reflect on and recognize the 2020 employees along with the 2021 employees and thank them all properly.
Pictures will be taken of groups of employees for their years of service (from 5 years up through 45 years). These pictures will be posted on the hospital's Facebook page, so that other LMH employees and the community can share their gratitude with them.
As the plans for celebrating National Hospital Week were being developed, LMH President and CEO Perry Gay shared a few words about what it means to him. "This is a recognition that I truly look forward to every year," he commented. "We are very blessed to have so many wonderful employees who give the best of themselves to the patients we serve. Achieving new educational milestones, by employees in departments all across the hospital, is what advances our standards of care year after year. To have so many employees who have chosen to build and grow their careers here at Logansport Memorial Hospital for so many years is another milestone that not many hospitals, or other organizations in other industries for that matter, can say and celebrate."
Perry went on to say, "It's no secret that the year 2020 had its challenges, especially for those of us in healthcare. The healthcare industry overall is one that experiences big changes regularly, whether through legislative requirements or through new expectations of our patients in meeting their healthcare needs. COVID-19 has changed all of us, but in healthcare and more specifically here at Logansport Memorial Hospital, we have endured through these changes and risen to these challenges because of the incredible staff that we have. To be able to simply tell them 'thank you' is something that we take seriously, whether it's National Hospital Week of just a routine day. But I am glad to use this opportunity to let them know that the exceptional work they do does not go unnoticed, and I hope that the communities we serve will join me in thanking them for their commitment and service."
