A message from Sue Coppola, Chief Clinical Officer, honoring our team member nurses for the warm, person-centered care they provide to our residents.
Dear Sunrise Families,
Each May, Sunrise honors our team member nurses for the warm, people-centered care they provide to our beloved residents. This year, National Nurses Week takes place May 6–12 in the United States and May 10–16 in Canada, and we celebrate International Nurses Day on May 12. Today is the 201st birthday of Florence Nightingale, an extraordinary woman and the founder of modern nursing. I’m always so proud to take these holidays to honor the contributions and commitment of all who have followed in Florence Nightingale’s footsteps.
Because of the COVID-19 pandemic, the past year-and-a-half has posed unique challenges to all of our Sunrise team members, including our team of incredible nurses. What each of our trusted nurses has been able accomplish throughout this time far outweighs anything we have experienced in the modern era. I have watched as they have prioritized the well-being of our residents, showing up day-after-day to provide professional, personalized care and build meaningful connections.
Navigating infection control protocols, our nurses have stood in with care and compassion for family members who could not be there with their loved ones, ensuring residents were not alone. They have risen to the occasion with compassion, sacrifice, and empathy to steadfastly champion our residents’ overall quality of life. And in the past few months, nurses have been instrumental in protecting our communities from COVID-19 by getting vaccinated and encouraging others to do the same.
As vaccination rates rise, I’m thrilled to see our communities welcome brighter days ahead. Our nurses will continue to lead the way not just as medical professionals, but as the nursing leaders of the entire wellness team. A crucial part of that team is you, our residents and families. Your conversations with our nurses help them to better understand each resident’s holistic needs and how our team can help. It could be through a revised diet, a creative activity, a thoughtful medical treatment, or something else entirely. As it has throughout this entire pandemic, our nurses’ comprehensive approach to overall well-being will help our residents to enjoy full, vibrant lives in the months and years to come.
For this and so much more, I extend my deepest gratitude to our Sunrise nurses. This month, as we pay homage to our nursing heroes past and present, please join me in thanking our nurses for upholding the sacred duty of service while filling a vital role in the lives of every Sunrise resident. Thank you for trusting them with the care of your loved ones. It is an honor to serve you and your family.
Sincerely,
Chief Clinical Officer Sue Coppola, RN, BS, CHC