81st Medical Group celebrates Nurses Week

Published May 5, 2011
By Steve Pivnick
81st Medical Group Public Affairs

KEESLER AIR FORCE BASE, Miss. -- Nurses and medical technicians at the 81st Medical Group Hospital celebrate Nurse and Medical Technician Week, Friday through May 12, with a variety of activities.

Using the National Nurses Week theme of "Nurses Trusted to Care," the Keesler observance begins 9 a.m. Monday with an opening ceremony in the hospital's Don Wylie Auditorium. Speakers include Col. Allison Plunk, 81st MDG chief nurse; Chief Master Sgt. Michael Wood, 81st Medical Operations Squadron superintendent; and Maj. Amber Barker, 81st Inpatient Operations Squadron maternal child flight commander.

An ice cream social for the day shift is held in the auditorium from 12:30-1:30 p.m. A night-shift ice cream party is 10 p.m. to midnight, as ice cream is brought to the units, starting in the ER and then up to each floor, ending on the 5A surgical inpatient unit.

May 10 features refreshments and booths sponsored by the health and wellness center, Keesler Federal Credit Union, Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College and others in the auditorium.

May 11, Spa Day with Virginia College students takes place in the auditorium, 9-11 a.m. A virtual tour, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. to familiarize nurses with the challenges of working with geriatric patients and others experiencing dementia due to Alzheimer's disease, certain other illnesses, strokes, infections, drugs, nutritional deficiencies or head injuries. There's also a night-shift pizza party, 6-8 p.m., again starting in the ER and ending on 5A.

A variety of prizes are given away during the week. At the closing ceremony May 12 in marina park, free lunch is provided and a grand prize giveaway includes a dinner for two and a two-night stay at a local casino resort.