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Navy Nurse Corps 107th Birthday held at Naval Hospital Bremerton

14 May 2015
Naval Hospital Bremerton staff gathered on May 13 to recognize the 107th Birthday of the Navy Nurse Corps.
Naval Hospital Bremerton staff gathered on May 13 to recognize the 107th Birthday of the Navy Nurse Corps.

It was on May 13, 1908, that then-President Theodore Roosevelt signed the Naval Appropriations Bill that authorized the establishment of the Nurse Corps as a unique staff corps of the Navy.

The annual Nurse Corps Birthday celebration included a cake cutting ceremony and speeches from Capt. David Collins, NHB executive officer and the command's Director of Nurse Services, Capt. Amy McBride.

"The Navy Nurse Corps birthday is a well-earned and deserved event. The Nurse Corps goes everywhere and Navy Medicine follows. Navy Nurses are the backbone. Some of the most influential medical personnel I have personally known are Navy Nurses," said Collins. "And who doesn't love cake for breakfast?"

Following the opening remarks by Lt. Jennifer Jones, Multi Service Ward nurse, the invocation shared by Cmdr. Bruce Crouterfield, Pastoral Care head chaplain, also thanked the nurses for their continual contributions to caring for those in need.

"We thank all the nurses for their presence, and the comfort and healing they bring," said Crouterfield

The Nurse Corps also used the event to honor one of their own by acknowledging Lt. Amy Bene with the Junior Nurse Corps Excellence Award. Bene was picked from three other candidates 'in recognition of her commitment to nursing excellence and to nursing as a unique discipline and art. Her demonstrated dedication, contributions to the nursing profession and clinical expertise have made a positive difference in the quality of care provided to patients and their families.'

"Our four finalists were all very qualified and Lt. Bene was very deserving," said McBride.

Along with Bene, there are approximately 146 active duty and civilian nurses assigned to NHB - 68 active duty personnel - along with six American Red Cross nurse volunteers, out of the Navy's active and Reserve Nurse Corps approximately 4,300 members, a sizable increase from the Navy Nurse Corps initial group of 20 in 1908 - known as the "Sacred Twenty."

As has been the case in the past, the heads of other Navy Medicine corps sent their birthday greetings and wishes to the Nurse Corps, which were on display for those in attendance.

The congratulatory notes sent to Rear Adm. McCormick-Boyle, Navy Nurse Corps director, from the surgeon general of the Navy, Medical Service Corps, Dental Corps, and hospital corpsmen were on display, each extending their regards to honor the occasion.

Vice Adm. Matthew L. Nathan, Navy Surgeon General and Chief, U.S. Navy Bureau of Medicine and Surgery, extended his gratitude, appreciation and thanks of the Nurse Corps for their service, sacrifice and dedication.

Rear Adm. T. J Moulton, Director of the Medical Service Corps (MSC) expressed his appreciation on behalf of the Medical Service Corps stating that MSC is "proud to serve at the side of our nurses as they band together to further advance Navy Medicine's mission."

Dental Corps head Rear Adm. S. M. Pachuta, of the Dental Corps, extended his best wishes saluting the Nurse Corps on their anniversary day and openly stating feeling proud to call the Nurse Corps colleagues and shipmates.

Force Master Chief S.E. Boss III, Director of the Hospital Corps, acknowledged 'For 107 years Navy Nurses have played a crucial role ensuring that Navy Medicine meets and continually exceeds the expectations of those we serve. Their place in history is marked by dedication to duty and service."

The Navy Nurse Corps birthday is not just limited to one day, it stretches throughout the entire week and also coincidently happens during National Nurses Week that is annually recognized and celebrated May 6 to May 12, which is the birthday of Florence Nightingale (1820-1910), the founder of modern nursing.

For more news from Naval Hospital Bremerton, visit www.navy.mil/.
  
 

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