This week, make sure to thank a nurse

Nurses are the lifeblood of Rochester. Every day, these superheroes in scrubs provide hope and healing to patients during the most vulnerable times of their lives — often displaying a level of compassion and selflessness that can restore faith in humanity among the most hardened of cynics.

Here in our city, we are fortunate to be surrounded by some of the best nurses on the planet. And while there is never a bad moment to extend our appreciation to a nurse, this week is an especially good time.

It is National Nurses Week — an annual celebration of the fine folks who play a critical role in supporting the health and well-being of all of us.

At Mayo Clinic, which employs more than 8,000 nurses in Rochester, they are offering the public the opportunity to sign an electronic "thank you" card (you can add your name, along with a special note, here). Their goal is to send along 10,000 messages of gratitude to the group of employees CEO John Noseworthy describes as "the glue" that holds the institution together.

We also reached out to Olmsted Medical Center, which told us they have "Celebrating Caregivers" bookmarks and pre-addressed envelopes in a plastic display in all of their main waiting areas. Patients can fill out the back side of the bookmark with their comment, and then drop it off with a staff member or mail it directly to the OMC Regional Foundation. Patients can also recognize and thank a care provider via email.

And of course, if you are visiting a hospital or clinic this week, the best way to thank a nurse is to tell them directly you appreciate the work they do.

Because without these exemplary individuals, OMC is just three letters in a row and Mayo is the name of a condiment. 😄

Cover photo: Licensed / Canva