This week is National Nurses Week, an annual tribute to the vital role nurses play across all healthcare settings. It also coincides with Florence Nightingale's birthday, whose enduring influence continues to shape modern nursing and patient care.
In the 1850s, Nightingale faced a cholera outbreak amid extremely unsanitary conditions. Her relentless focus on hygiene and infection control significantly reduced mortality, often at great personal risk to her health. Her compassion and dedication earned her the nickname “the Lady with the Lamp” during the Crimean War, when her efforts reduced hospital fatalities by nearly two-thirds.
Today, that same compassion, resilience, and innovation live on in our nurses.
Our Duke Orthopaedic Surgery nurses demonstrate exceptional dedication, skill, and empathy every day. They are essential to improving patient care, supporting our teams, and achieving the best outcomes for those we serve.
Join me in acknowledging and honoring the expertise, commitment, and influence of our Duke Orthopaedic Surgery nursing colleagues. We are sincerely grateful for all your contributions to our patients, department, and community.
All the best,
Ben