Nurses, medical technicians honored this week Published May 12, 2010 By Steve Pivnick 81st Medical Group Public Affairs KEESLER AIR FORCE BASE, Miss. -- The 81st Medical Group is celebrating National Nurse/ Technician Week with a variety of activities. Col. Cassandra Salvatore, 81st MDG chief nurse, helped kick off the observance May 6 in Keesler Medical Center's Don Wylie Auditorium during an opening ceremony. She read and signed a formal proclamation stating in part, "I ask that all residents of Keesler Air Force Base join me in honoring the nurses and medical technicians who care for all of us, and be it further noted that Keesler Air Force Base celebrate nurses and technicians accomplishments and efforts to improve our health-care system and show our appreciation for the nation's nurses and technicians not just during this week, but at every opportunity throughout the year." This year's event, with the theme "Nurses Caring Today for a Healthier Tomorrow," celebrates the ways in which "nurses and medical technicians strive to provide safe and high quality patient care and map out the way to improve our health-care system." Other activities throughout the week included a May 6 celebration dinner at The Great Southern Club in Gulfport. Monday, a spa day sponsored by Virginia College was followed by a "Nurse Week Extravaganza," with booths presented by the Keesler Federal Credit Union, BancorpSouth, Mead Johnson and others. Refreshments were served. A pizza party was planned fort he night shift on the inpatient units and the emergency room. Tuesday, there was an ice cream social in the courtyard outside the emergency room. A giveaway provided a two-night stay and dinner for two at the Beau Rivage Resort and Casino. At the closing ceremony Wednesday, a commemorative cake and ice cream was served. Cake and ice cream was also served to the night shift. The annual "Scrub Shirt Scramble" is 5 p.m. today at the Biloxi Town Green. Nurses and medical technicians from area medical facilities compete for the coveted "Golden Bedpan Trophy." Last year, the 81st MDG nurses and medical technicians claimed the honor.