Help Honor Gerber Memorial Health Care Workers with Home Luminary Event

Photos and videos to be shared on Spectrum Health social media.

May 7, 2020

FREMONT, Mich., May 7, 2020 – Luminary bags with special messages of support and affection will light up the night outside Spectrum Health Gerber Memorial hospital as well as homes and neighborhoods in Newaygo County on Tuesday to mark Florence Nightingale’s 200^th birthday and to recognize nurses and health care workers throughout West Michigan.

Spectrum Health is asking community members to decorate and light luminary bags for special health care workers in their life May 12 at 9 p.m. to join in a display of solidarity and appreciation.

Gerber Memorial will have luminaries placed by employees, and community member luminaries are invited to display theirs at their homes, outside their front doors, along sidewalks or anyplace nearby while still maintaining social distancing.

“Spectrum Health Gerber Memorial’s nursing staff have been on the frontlines of our work for more than 100 years, and their compassion, courage and commitment to caring for our patients have never been more evident during the COVID-19 pandemic,” said Gerber Memorial Interim Market Leader and Chief Operating Officer Shelly Johnson. “Together with our entire health care staff, nurses continue to live our mission of improving health, inspiring hope and save lives. On behalf of Spectrum Health, we invite our community to join us for this luminary celebration of our nursing staff and all that they do.”

People are asked to personalize and decorate their luminary bags by writing the name of their special health care worker or nurse along with a short message. Items from around the house can be used such as a tea light or other candles along with lunch bags, mason jars or milk jugs.

Photos or short videos of family members decorating their bags and lighting their luminaries can be shared by messaging or posting in the comments on the Spectrum Health Gerber Memorial Facebook page.

Spectrum Health nurses are also receiving a special car/window decal, along with being recognized in various celebrations at all Spectrum Health hospitals.

National Nurses Week is celebrated each year from May 6 through May 12. Florence Nightingale was born May 12, 1820, and is generally considered the founder of modern nursing for her work during the Crimean War. Health Care Week is May 10 through May 16.

People are at the heart of everything we do, and the inspiration for our legacy of outstanding outcomes, innovation, strong community partnerships, philanthropy and transparency. Corewell Health is a not-for-profit health system that provides health care and coverage with an exceptional team of 60,000+ dedicated people—including more than 11,500 physicians and advanced practice providers and more than 15,000 nurses providing care and services in 21 hospitals, 300+ outpatient locations and several post-acute facilities—and Priority Health, a provider-sponsored health plan serving more than 1.3 million members. Through experience and collaboration, we are reimagining a better, more equitable model of health and wellness. For more information, visit corewellhealth.org.

Contact:
Azlan Ibrahim
Communications Manager
Office: 231.924.1264
Mobile: 616.227-1940
Email: azlan.ibrahim@spectrumhealth.org