Below is a message from Distinguished University Professor and Dean of Drexel University’s College of Nursing and Health Professions Laura N Gitlin, PhD, and Associate Clinical Professor of Nursing, Senior Associate Dean of Nursing and Student Affairs and Chief Academic Nursing Officer Kymberlee Montgomery, DNP:
“I am of certain convinced that the greatest heroes are those who do their duty in the daily grind of domestic affairs whilst the world whirls as a maddening dreidel.” ― Florence Nightingale
The World Health Organization (WHO), designated 2020 as the Year of the International Nurse and the Midwife to advance nurses’ and midwives’ vital position in transforming healthcare around the world. This year-long designation corresponds with Florence Nightingale’s 200th birthday!
Over 22 million nurses and 2 million midwives make up half of the global health workforce by providing critical healthcare to the most vulnerable populations. Nurses are the cornerstone of a strong and resilient health system.
Drexel is honoring and celebrating our nurses throughout the year, and this week is particularly special, as it is Nurses Week, which we celebrate from May 6-12. In order to share the incredible stories about Drexel nurses, we have created a website, highlighting their important and ongoing work.
Nurses save lives, drive innovation, and create new knowledge. They are also a force for positive change, through clinical practice, administration, teaching, informatics and research. All over the globe, nurses are a guiding light, illuminating the way to solve problems plaguing the healthcare system, just as Florence Nightingale, the pioneer of modern nursing, once did during the Crimean War. Together, we continue to find improved ways to solve problems, and by always, always having the health and wellness of patients as our purpose.
As we face a global health crisis together, we are reminded daily of the incredible heroes that are part of the College of Nursing and Health Professions community.
Wishing you all wellness during these challenging times.
Kymberlee Montgomery, DNP, APRN, WHNP-BC, CNE, FAANP, FAAN
Associate Clinical Professor of Nursing
Senior Associate Dean of Nursing and Student Affairs
Chief Academic Nursing Officer
Laura N Gitlin, PhD., FGSA, FAAN
Distinguished University Professor
Dean, College of Nursing and Health Professions
Drexel University