Trinity Health Of New England celebrated Nurses Week to honor all nurses who play a vital role in patient care across the region’s hospitals. The annual celebration took place from May 6 to May 12. This year’s theme, “The Power of Nurses,” highlighted the strength, impact and compassion nurses bring to healthcare. All the hospitals in the region shared similar Nurses Week events while still spotlighting their own unique customs and traditions.
Saint Mary's Hospital Nurses' Recognition Ceremony
Saint Francis Hospital Nurses' Week recognition awards.
Eleven nurses from across Trinity Health Of New England were recognized at the annual Nightingale Awards Dinner, held at the Connecticut Convention Center. Read more about the incredible nurses honored for excellence here.
At Saint Mary’s Hospital, the week began with colleagues gathering for ice cream sundaes, followed by a buffet breakfast and the Nurses Recognition Ceremony. Thursday featured a visit from Bishop Betancourt to O’Brien 4, where he met with patients and nurses, followed by a Mass led by Father Amobi Atuegbu, offering colleagues a moment for reflection and gratitude. Afterward, Saint Mary’s held its first Crowning of Mary ceremony, with Mission Leader Megan Mayeaux creating a rose crown to symbolize Mary’s role as Queen and Mother. The week fostered connection through shared experiences, with several opportunities for food and treats, a college fair and visits from gift shop vendors, including Tony’s Coffee Express, which donated coffee and donuts for staff to enjoy.
At Saint Francis Hospital and Mount Sinai Rehabilitation Hospital, Nurses Week was celebrated with treats, breakfasts, learning opportunities, a special Mass in the Chapel, and a vendor fair for staff to share their talents. The Mission Department visited units for Blessing of the Hands ceremonies, while gifts and raffles from the Saint Francis Auxiliary Gift Shop helped show appreciation. The week ended with the annual Nursing Awards Ceremony, honoring scholarship recipients, Mullane Award winners, DAISY Specialty Award honorees and Nightingale recipients.
At Mercy Medical Center and Johnson Memorial Hospital, nursing colleagues were recognized and celebrated with a week of appreciation events across the Springfield Market. Colleagues participated in award and recognition ceremonies, complimentary meals and refreshments, vendor fairs and interactive activities throughout the week. Wellness focused experiences also included pet and baby goat therapy, Blessing of the Hands, unit rounding and raffles. The celebrations reflected continued gratitude for the compassion, dedication and excellence nurses bring to their roles each day, as well as their ongoing commitment to exceptional patient care.
All these events showed a shared commitment to recognizing how important nurses are to patient care and the wellbeing of the community.
