National Nurses Week Celebration Published May 8, 2017 By Lt. Col. Maxine McIntosh 92nd Medical Group FAIRCHILD AIR FORCE, Wash. -- It’s that time of year again! The American Nurse Association has designated 2017 as the “Year of the Healthy Nurse”.Join Fairchild’s nurses, technicians and teams as we celebrate their contributions to our great nation, during National Nurses Week, May 6-12.The focus theme of this year’s celebration is “The Balance of Mind, Body and Spirit”. We will honor our Fairchild nurse and technician warriors as they continue to lead the charge for health and wellness.Historically, the Air Force nurse and technician celebration week is rooted in remembering the birth and legacy of Florence Nightingale. Nurse Nightingale was the first nurse who became famous for treating wounded soldiers during the Crimean War. She was affectionately known as as the “lady with the lamp,” as she made many ward rounds at night while carrying a lamp. Nurse Nightingale then went to establish nursing as a profession, and in 1860, founded the first nursing school in the world to provide professional nursing training.Florence Nightingale’s birthday is May 12, and National Student Nurses day is May 8.Since 1896, the nursing profession has been supported and promoted by the ANA. The ANA celebrates these dates to recognize the nursing profession’s contributions to the medical community. Furthermore, nurses are the first line of defense in the prevention of illness and injury. They champion and promote the health of our nation.The Fairchild Nurse Care Team will kick-off the weeklong celebration with a breakfast May 8. As part of our weeklong focus, our health coach will be conducting relaxation excercise sessions throughout the morning of May 11.There will be an aromatherapy relaxation room to spend quiet time during breaks, or lunch, for reflection time and meditation time. There also will be a massuese providing a limited number of 15 minute massage sessions. Many other activities are scheduled during the week to recognize the hard work of our nursing team.Finally, our care teams will continue to maintain a balance and synergy of physical, intellectual, emotional, social, spiritual, personal and professional well-being.