28th Medical Group celebrates Nurse Appreciation Week

  • Published
  • By Donald C. Knechtel
  • 28th Bomb Wing
ELLSWORTH AIR FORCE BASE, S.D. --  In recognition of the 2016 National Nurses Week, the 28th Medical Group hosted a Nurse and Medical Technician Appreciation Week May 6 through 12.

National Nurses Day is celebrated annually to recognize the imperative role nurses play in society. May 6 marks the beginning of the week and it ends May 12, the birthday of Florence Nightingale, the founder of modern nursing.

"It's just a week to take time to show the nurses and technicians that you appreciate them, that you appreciate all the hard work they put in to patient care and the work they do," said Staff Sgt. Connik Greene, 28th Medical Operations Squadron medical technician.

The event celebrates nurses and medical technicians, their roles within the Air Force medical community, and helps to increase awareness of the nursing career field.

"I'd equate it to pilots," said Maj. Holli Bellusci, 28th MDOS aerospace medicine flight commander. "They know that they can't fly their planes without the maintainers to help and support them; like them we are a valuable member of the team."

While acting as another cog in the Ellsworth machine, the nurses and technicians of the 28th MDG enjoy what they do - helping people.

"I like helping people and [by] being here every day, I do that," Greene added. "People come in just looking for help and they appreciate it. Sometimes we get complaints, but more often than not we get compliments and appreciation from people for what we do."

Lt. Col. Deborah Davidson, 28th MDOS clinical medicine flight commander, noted a lot of the time, their patients will remember the nurses who took care of them, such as being there to deliver their child or help them through a difficult surgical time. It's a privilege to be a part of their lives and memories.

When asked what she wanted to tell her patients, Bellusci commented, "we are happy to be your trusted medical home and strive to be your first health care choice. Thank you for letting me be a part of your life."