National Nurses Week (May 6 – 12) takes on new significance this year as nurses — and everyone in the healthcare community – are on the front line of battling COVID-19. They are living and working under an extraordinary set of circumstances, providing compassionate care, putting others before self, and performing numerous acts of heroism. They inspire us. They are the heart and soul of our community. And we owe them our heartfelt gratitude and thanks.
Throughout the year, nurses play an essential role in the lives of their patients and families, in our community, and within the family of healthcare colleagues. And for the past 15 years, The Atlanta Journal-Constitution has celebrated National Nurses Week. Long before the pandemic, we invited the public to nominate inspiring nurses for this year’s AJC’s Nursing Excellence Awards. The AJC received 853 nominations from patients, families, colleagues, and supervisors. They shared personal stories of how these health care professionals made a difference in their lives and the lives of others. From these nominations, an independent panel of judges chose 10 nurse honorees. In today’s special section, we shine a light on their stories of service to others. Later this summer, the AJC will recognize all of the nominees at our Nursing Excellence Awards banquet, which has been rescheduled under the circumstances.
Please join us as we thank and celebrate these extraordinary nurses – and all health care professionals – for putting others before self and for serving our community in significant and meaningful ways. That, after all, is the definition of a true hero.
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