Family Medicine (Team 1) races to the finish line holding various items during the "Amazing Race" obstacle course held to honor nurses around the world May 8, at Kadena Air Base, Japan. The teams had to carry a litter and received two water balloons for every correct answer, one for answering a bonus question and one sandbag for every wrong answer. Keeping a water balloon intact to the finishing point took 30 seconds off the team's total time. Starting on National Nurse Day, May 6, through the birthday of famous nurse pioneer Florence Nightingale, May 12, events are held to honor nurses around the world. (U.S. Air Force photo/Staff Sgt. Darnell T. Cannady)
Aeromedical Evacuation Squadron (Team 2) holds a team discussion before answering their question during the amazing race obstacle course to honor nurses around the world May 8, at Kadena Air Base, Japan. Five teams raced to five stations where they had to perform an exercise and answer a question about nursing before receiving a clue for the next location. This year Kadena's medical staff jointly celebrated the event with the Camp Lester Naval Hospital medical staff. Starting on National Nurse Day, May 6, through the birthday of famous nurse pioneer Florence Nightingale, May 12, events are held to honor nurses around the world. (U.S. Air Force photo/Staff Sgt. Darnell T. Cannady)
The Naha Medical Operations Squadron (Team 1) reached the fourth station and started 25 push-ups while the other teams race to the station during the "Amazing Race" obstacle course to honor nurses around the world May 8, at Kadena Air Base, Japan. Starting on National Nurse Day, May 6, through the birthday of famous nurse pioneer Florence Nightingale, May 12, events are held to honor nurses around the world. (U.S. Air Force photo/Staff Sgt. Darnell T. Cannady)
by Capt. Anastasia McKoy
18th Medical Operations Squadron
5/7/2012 - KADENA AIR BASE, Japan -- Traditionally, this week is symbolic as it's the national celebration in recognition of nurses around the world. Historically this celebration commences on May 6, "National Nurses Day," through May 12, the birthday of Florence Nightingale.
Florence Nightingale, also known as the "Lady with the Lamp", was a phenomenal nurse pioneer who directed care of the wounded soldiers during the Crimean War while preventing medical disasters for the British army. She committed her life to serving the poor and sick without wavering while initiating new standards of health care that were adopted later.
Despite opposition from her family, she decided to devote her life to nursing and campaigning for better health care and sanitation for all. Making nursing a respectable profession for women (and later men) was her greatest achievement.
Most Air Force medical groups celebrate both nurses and medical technicians jointly under the nursing services umbrella. This is a time to honor all nurses (civilian and military) and our medical technicians that serve with a passion for their profession and a strong commitment to patient safety which we know we couldn't do without.
Nurses and medical technicians remain an integral part of the health care profession and link to our mission ready state.
