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Kadena's "Amazing Race" honors nurses

  • Published
  • By Capt. Anastasia McKoy
  • 18th Medical Operations Squadron
KADENA AIR BASE, Japan --  Traditionally, this week is symbolic as it's the national celebration in recognition of nurses around the world. Historically this celebration commences on May 6, "National Nurses Day," through May 12, the birthday of Florence Nightingale.

Florence Nightingale, also known as the "Lady with the Lamp", was a phenomenal nurse pioneer who directed care of the wounded soldiers during the Crimean War while preventing medical disasters for the British army. She committed her life to serving the poor and sick without wavering while initiating new standards of health care that were adopted later.

Despite opposition from her family, she decided to devote her life to nursing and campaigning for better health care and sanitation for all. Making nursing a respectable profession for women (and later men) was her greatest achievement.

Most Air Force medical groups celebrate both nurses and medical technicians jointly under the nursing services umbrella. This is a time to honor all nurses (civilian and military) and our medical technicians that serve with a passion for their profession and a strong commitment to patient safety which we know we couldn't do without.

Nurses and medical technicians remain an integral part of the health care profession and link to our mission ready state.