Spring 2020

As all of healthcare kicked off nurses and hospital week, it comes with a new meaning of giving thanks after what has been occurring in all our lives the past 8+ weeks. Who would have thought at the beginning of 2020 that we would have been tasked with a new way of thinking to keep our teams, loved ones, and our communities safe? This year’s nurses and hospital weeks really bring the message of how resilience, courage, humility, vulnerability, and passion are true testaments to the entire healthcare industry. We do not give up, instead adapt, and evolve to new normal and push forward for our communities.

Historically, the meaning of Hospital Week is a celebration of the history, technology, and dedicated professionals that make our facilities beacons of confidence and care. It is health systems and persons involved in keeping our communities healthy, where health comes first.

I wanted to keep my message short as we continue to bring our systems back online to the new “normal” which includes adapting to telemedicine platforms, the continuation of virtual meetings, reestablishing trust through messaging to our patients, patient caregivers, medical practitioners, and that our healthcare systems are safe. We are ready and capable of taking care of all medical needs.

As you continue to rebuild the new normal within your realm, look to ACHE for tools and reference material. There is an expansion of educational resources that include COVID related resources too. Our local chapters have been working diligently to keep education going to provide ACHE credits through Zoom Meetings.

Lastly, this has been a challenging year, and we have continued to come together to fight the invisible enemy. Thank you for your courage, the positive impact on patient family’s lives, knowing that your hearts and hands are making an impact, and giving another chance at life. The job we do is not for the faint of heart, and all of you do it with grace, dignity, and compassion each and every day.

If I can help you in any way in my role as Regent, please call on me. Let us celebrate each other, Happy Nurses and Hospital Week!

Best,

Ashley R. Vertuno, FACHE

Regent for Florida - Eastern