Help Honor Spectrum Health Zeeland Community Hospital Health Care Workers with Home Luminary Event

ZEELAND, Mich., May 6, 2020 – Luminary bags with special messages of support and affection will light up the night outside of hospitals, homes and in neighborhoods 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 reverent display of solidarity and appreciation.

Hospitals will have luminaries placed by employees, but community member luminaries should be displayed at home.

“The luminary event is a way for our communities to come together in gratitude while respecting social distancing and show nurses how much we appreciate their life-saving work and compassion,” said Linda Schaltz, chief nursing officer, Spectrum Health Zeeland Community Hospital. “Now more than ever, nurses and all health care workers provide essential care in keeping our patients safe and healthy.”

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 Zeeland Community Hospital Facebook page at facebook.com/zeelandcommunityhospital.

The event will culminate nursing week activities that will include a virtual Blessing of Hands ceremony on Friday, May 8. 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:
Alexis Bolo Neal
Senior Communications Specialist
Email: alexis.boloneal@corewellhealth.org