You could make the case that Florence Nightingale is history’s most famous nurse. During the Crimean War in the 1850s, Florence led a team of nurses credited with saving the lives of thousands of British soldiers. According to the National Women’s History Museum:

“The nurses brought supplies, nutritious food, cleanliness, and sanitation to the military hospital. They also provided individual care and support.”

Their work completely transformed the hospital over six months, reducing the death rate from 40 percent to 2 percent, and earning Florence the nickname of “the lady with the lamp.”

We’ve seen a lot of Florence Nightingales in our midst in the time since COVID-19 began its devastating spread across New York and the nation.

That’s why this year’s National Nurses Day – today, May 6 – holds so much meaning. Nurses everywhere have lived up to Florence’s ideal in treating and caring for both COVID and non-COVID patients this spring during the pandemic emergency.

National Nurses Day is actually part of a larger celebration. Annually, National Nurses Week runs between May 6 and May 12 — which also happens to be Florence Nightingale’s birthday.

At this time of crisis, the words “thank you” somehow seem inadequate. We are grateful for the nurses we support through our health care industry team practice as we provide counsel to institutional and individual health care providers and others in this vital industry. And we are humbled by your compassion and expertise. Happy Nurses Day!