Christian Health Care Center Celebrates Nurses Then and Now

“Once a nurse, always a nurse!” said Nancy Mericle, RN, Heritage Manor Nursing Home/Southgate Nursing Services Director. Christian Health Care Center (CHCC) recently honored several Heritage Manor residents who had careers in nursing with a special recognition and tea party. The afternoon commenced with a welcome and thanks from Douglas A. Struyk, CPA, LNHA, CHCC President and CEO, as well as stories and memories from the residents. One question focused on the difference between nursing in the past and nursing today, and a resident shared a very insightful memory of how far nursing has come with respect to infection control and wearing gloves when interacting with patients.

Those in attendance shared several different careers in nursing, such as the cardiac wing of Hackensack University Medical Center, Holy Name Medical Center, public health in the Midwest, and working at Chilton Medical Center. A few CHCC nurses shared their nursing history and longtime career at the Center, and how blessed they are to be able to care for fellow nurses living here.

The afternoon wrapped up with the inspiring story of Florence Nightingale, founder of modern nursing. Nightingale’s nursing reform led to improved sanitary conditions, as well as reducing the death count significantly during the Crimean War.

CHCC provides a broad continuum of high-quality, compassionate care, offering superior senior-life, short-term rehab, and mental-health services. As a non-profit organization, we deliver care to our community based upon the Christian principles on which we were founded more than a century ago.

For more information, visit ChristianHealthCare.org.