United Health Services (UHS) celebrate staff during Hospital Week

Coverage of outdoor events and activities is encouraged.

UHS will join with similar organizations across the country May 6 to 12, National Nurses Week, to honor nurses, and May 8 to 14, National Hospital Week, to recognize all healthcare professionals on the UHS team.

Many events and enjoyable activities are scheduled across UHS to celebrate the team, both those who give direct hands-on care and those who work behind the scenes to support their colleagues.

Now more than ever, nurses and hospital workers are viewed by the public as superheroes, making sacrifices, facing difficulties and enduring hardships--yet diligently providing superior care and service in the midst of a pandemic.

During the observances there will barbecues, ice cream deliveries, trivia contests, prize drawings, a scavenger hunt and a sidewalk chalk-art event.

Other activities at a wide array of UHS venues will include a “Blessing of the Hands,” chair massage and yoga, sound healing, Zumba and visits by a therapy dog.

Tribute videos for nurses and the entire team will be featured on the UHS intranet site.

Entertainment will be provided by performers from the Binghamton Philharmonic, including a cellist, violinist, percussionist, woodwind trio and brass quintet.

This year’s theme is “We are healthcare. We are UHS!”

The impetus for a designated Nurses Week began in the 1950s, with the celebration observed annually starting on May 6 and ending on May 12, Florence Nightingale's birthday.

National Hospital Week, May 8 to 14, aims to recognize and celebrate the vital work performed in hospitals across the country and the people who provide care at them.