Below, see a letter from Rita Altman, Sunrise SVP of Memory Care & Program Services, thanking our Sunrise nurses in honor of National Nurses Week. See the bottom of this letter for a very special video from Rita.
To Our Sunrise Family,
Today marks the kickoff of a two-week period when both the U.S. and Canada, respectively, celebrate National Nurses Week (5/6- 5/12) and National Nursing Week (5/11-5/17). During this time, we also observe what would be the 200th birthday of the founder of modern nursing, Florence Nightingale, and honor all those who have followed her call to duty. I can think of no more important time to celebrate the service and dedication of nurses everywhere than today, as they serve on the frontlines, fighting the COVID-19 pandemic. We can all draw strength from Florence Nightingale’s unwavering commitment to her profession in the face of adversity – something I see at Sunrise each and every day.
To the nearly 2,500 nurses across Sunrise – whether you are caring for residents in a community or supporting behind the scenes – we want to thank you for your service. You listen to and validate the concerns of our residents, families and fellow team members, and foster a culture of accountability, mutual respect, and resilience. You are calm yet vigilant. You are kind, yet fierce in your commitment to protecting the health and safety of your residents while helping to create a warm, loving home where they live with happiness and dignity. You are there for the brightest and darkest moments, setting your own emotions aside to be there for families who are grappling with the many challenges associated with this pandemic.
You are frontline warriors in one of the most challenging battles any of us will face in our lifetimes, leaving your families each day to don gloves, gowns and masks and protect our most vulnerable population. We want you to know these sacrifices do not go unnoticed.
Many of you are also working closely with families, helping them navigate important decisions regarding their loved one’s care. You have always been an extension of our resident’s family unit, in situations highly charged with fear and emotion. And, you manage to maintain those strong relationships with our Sunrise families who are struggling with seeing their loved ones on FaceTime rather than in person. Through all of this, you also continue to take care of each other, selflessly stepping in to provide support wherever there is a need.
While we remain deeply grateful to each and every member of the Sunrise team for their relentless efforts during these extraordinary times, we turn our attention this week to our nurses, who continue to uphold Florence Nightingale’s pledge to devote themselves to the welfare of those committed to their care.