Ithaca College

An accomplished quilter. A long-distance bicycling enthusiast. A trained doula—a layperson who supports a mother throughout childbirth. A team of volunteers in New Orleans following Hurricane Katrina.

Someone born in North Dakota and someone born in Ithaca and others born many places in between. A group whose birthdates span several decades… although certainly, no one will tell you which decades, exactly.

A couple of vegetarians, a few black-licorice lovers, and a whole bunch of chocolate addicts. Every single one is a Mom, many with one or more kids attending, or graduated from, Ithaca College.

These are the nurses of the Hammond Health Center of Ithaca College and today begins the annual celebration of National Nurses Week.

Each year, National Nurses Week is celebrated from May 6, also known as National Nurses Day, through May 12, the birthday of Florence Nightingale, the founder of modern nursing. Often described as both an art and a science, nursing is a profession that embraces dedicated people with varied interests, strengths and passions because of the many opportunities the profession offers. We have many roles and serve all of them with passion for a profession that is far more than just a job.

The theme for the 2010 celebration of nursing, chosen by the American Nurses Association, is "Nurses: Caring today for a healthier tomorrow."

Please join me in thanking Cindee, Jan, Janet, Monica, Mary, Erica, Sarah, Michelle, and Kathy for doing exactly that, and doing it all so very well!