Nurse, Medical Technician Appreciation Week celebrated

  • Published
  • By 341st Medical Group
MALMSTROM AIR FORCE BASE, Mont. --  Col. Tom Wilcox, 341st Missile Wing commander, signed a proclamation on May 5 which declared May 6 to 12 Nurse and Medical Technician Appreciation Week at Malmstrom Air Force Base.

According to the American Nurses Association, this year's theme for National Nurses Week is: "Nurses Leading the Way." Members of the 341st Medical Group, which includes 15 military, civilian and contract nurses, and 30 medical technicians, kicked-off Nurse and Technician Appreciation Week on May 5 with an appreciation luncheon and culminated their celebration May 12 with a cake cutting ceremony.

The mission of the 341st MDG is unique and differs from a traditional Military Treatment Facility. Its members support the 341st Missile Wing's nuclear mission by managing the health and well-being of approximately 10,000 enrollees. MSgt Rosalie Mediana-Martin, 341st Medical Operations Squadron medical technician career field functional, says medical technicians at the clinic often function in non-traditional roles while deployed.

"Our 40Ns, [or] medics, get to deploy with the Army on some of their combat medic missions," she said. "The medical technicians are going out on convoys and saving lives."

With such an undertaking, it is important to highlight the caregivers and their accomplishments. The 341st MDG Chief Nurse, Lt. Col. Beatrice Dolihite, emphasizes the critical role medical technicians and nurses play in providing patient-centered medical care and ensuring 341 MW Airmen are always combat ready

"The nurses and medical technicians of the 341st MDG take great pride in delivering excellent quality care to the 341 MW Airmen, family members and retirees," said Dolihite. "As medics, the care delivered by these professionals within the walls of our clinic matters out in the missile fields. Our staff ensures the Airmen are physically and mentally able to perform the nuclear mission at all times. I always stress to our medics... what we do here matters out there. I am truly honored to be serving beside such dedicated, professional nurses and medical technicians."

The inspiration for National Nurses Week highlights the founder of modern nursing's birthday, Florence Nightingale, which is celebrated on May 12. The history of the nursing profession dates back to the 1850s, when Florence Nightingale served as a nurse in the Crimean War. During this time, she assessed the need for scrutiny of unsanitary conditions in hospitals. Her work with the sanitary conditions directly led to reduced death rates among the soldiers. Some of her accomplishments include, but are certainly not limited to: health care reforms improving all sections of British society, the improvement of health care delivery, hunger relief in India and the expansion of acceptable forms of female participation in the workforce.

This weeklong celebration raises awareness of the value of nursing and helps educate the public about the role nurses play in meeting the health care needs of the American people. Airmen are encouraged to thank their nurses and medical technicians throughout the year.