Nurses an unsung yet indispensable part of healthcare
Where would we be in medicine – or, really, as a society – without our nurses?
It’s not a hard question to answer. At some point in your life, you’ve likely been cared for by a nurse whose skill and compassion helped steady a stressful moment. That kind of personal attention leaves a lasting impression – and it’s a reminder of how essential nurses are to the health and welfare of our communities.
Nurses are the backbone of every healthcare setting, including here at The Wright Center for Community Health. But I think too often their great work, at many times conducted under duress, goes underrecognized. So, I’m happy that there are awareness events like National Nurses Month, which is observed throughout May.
Erin McFadden, M.D., is senior vice president and chief medical officer at The Wright Center for Community Health. Board-certified in internal medicine, Dr. McFadden is the clinical leader for all outpatient, inpatient, and specialty services. She accepts adult patients at our health centers in Scranton and North Scranton, and at the Scranton Counseling Center. To make an appointment, visit TheWrightCenter.org or call 570-230-0019.
Within that month, National Nurses Week (May 6-12) offers a chance to reflect on the profession’s history and impact. The idea dates back to 1953, when Dorothy Sutherland of the U.S. Department of Health, Education, and Welfare proposed a national day to honor nurses. While that initial effort wasn’t formalized, the first Nurses Week was celebrated in October 1954, the 100th anniversary of nursing pioneer Florence Nightingale’s service in the Crimean War.
This observance gained official recognition in 1974 and has continued to evolve, with additional milestones such as National School Nurse Day (May 6) and National Student Nurses Day (May 8), observed during the week.
For National Nurses Week 2026, the American Nurses Association (ANA) will spotlight “the power of nurses” by “elevating nurse voices, stories, awareness, and engagement.”
Among ANA’s prominent Nurses Week initiatives is “Nurses Light Up the Sky,” which last year saw the illumination of more than 200 buildings around the country in honor of nurses. This year, the association hopes to build on that impressive number.
The ANA also does a lot of advocacy work for the profession in the halls of Congress and state legislatures throughout the country, and encourages nurses, nursing students, and activists to use their voices to advocate for better healthcare policy.
We at The Wright Center do our very best to recognize the exemplary commitment of our dedicated licensed practical nurses, registered nurses, and nurse practitioners, whose talents are so critical to our mission, vision, and core values.
At the same time, the need for nurses continues to grow – both locally and nationwide. Strengthening the pipeline into the profession is essential, and we are fortunate to benefit from strong nursing programs offered by colleges and universities throughout Northeast Pennsylvania.
Nurses are true healthcare heroes. I invite you to salute their work, today and every day – to recognize their impact and express our gratitude.
