Leo Sher, M.D.

We are happy to acknowledge National Nurses Week when we collectively recognize the invaluable work nurses perform all year round. This year’s theme for National Nurses Week is “The Balance of Mind, Body and Spirit.”

We appreciate nurses. They use critical thinking skills, bring evidence into practice, and navigate challenging patient dynamics. Nurses are among the most highly-regarded and trusted professionals, ranking higher than military personnel, physicians, and teachers, according to Gallup polls.

Founded by the American Nursing Association, National Nurses Week is observed each year from May 6 through May 12, the birthday of Florence Nightingale. Florence Nightingale (May 12, 1820 – August 13,  1910), a British nurse is regarded as the founder of modern nursing. In 1912, the International Committee of the Red Cross established the Florence Nightingale Medal, which is awarded every two years to outstanding nurses or nursing aides. The Florence Nightingale Medal is the highest international nursing award.