President's Message

Posted on: 5/10/24

Next week, the healthcare field celebrates National Hospital Week and this week we conclude our recognition of National Nurses Week. 

Both of these events give us an opportunity to take pause and recognize those who tirelessly contribute to improving and strengthening our healthcare system. 

Although hospitals have been around for centuries, the modern American hospital was founded in 1751 by Dr. Thomas Bond and Benjamin Franklin. The two of them clearly saw the importance of addressing healthcare needs in the fast-growing American colonies. 

Pennsylvania hospital was founded to care for the sick, poor, and insane who were wandering around the streets of Philadelphia. Now more than 273 years later, hospitals remain the healthcare safety net in every community they serve. Open seven days a week and around the clock, hospitals bring together teams of caregivers dedicated to healing the body and mind.  One of our key partners in caring for communities is the nurses who give their heart and soul to their patients.  

The celebration of National Nurses Week begins each year on May 6 and ends on May 12, the birthday of Florence Nightingale. The first National recognition dates back to President Eisenhower’s nurse day proclamation in 1953. Since then, the nation has celebrated the impact nurses have had on our lives and the lives of our loved ones. 

Over the past several weeks, we have seen the effect our hospitals and nurses have had on the communities impacted by a series of tornados. The celebration of Hospital Week and Nurses Week gives each of us time to pause, reflect and thank our team members for the tireless work they do to protect our families, communities, and improve health and healthcare in Oklahoma.

Rich Rasmussen
President & CEO