(May 12, 2023) – This week, the Kansas Hospital Association has enjoyed celebrating all of you during National Hospital Week. It has been refreshing to see and learn about the activities hospitals are doing with their teams. I am glad we could help highlight Kansas hospitals, health systems and health care workers, as well as the innovative ways you are supporting and connecting to communities across Kansas.
Did you know Hospital Week has been celebrated for more than 100 years? National Hospital Week began as National Hospital Day in the year 1921 as an attempt to inspire community members to support hospitals after the Spanish flu outbreak in 1918. Then, in 1953, National Hospital Day was changed to National Hospital Week.
Additionally, National Hospital Week takes place during the week of Florence Nightingale’s birthday on May 12. This is why National Nurses Week (May 6-12) is often synced up with National Hospital Week. The holiday shines a spotlight on hospitals, health systems and health care workers who strive to save lives daily.
KHA has teamed up with the American Hospital Association and associations across the country to recognize the 5,000 hospitals, health care systems, networks, and others who provide care to their community. Hospital caregivers have taken on unimaginable challenges and have risen to the occasion repeatedly. We think it is essential others see the impact hospitals make on communities, especially in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Our 2023 KHA hospital week video features our members caring for patients, strengthening our communities and keeping Kansans healthy. The AHA hospital week video showcases the pride and resiliency of hospital and health care workers that resonates with this year's theme We Are Health Care.
Thank you for the valuable contributions you make each day so hospitals can be there to care for Kansans 24 hours a day, seven days a week, 365 days a year. On behalf of the entire KHA staff, thank you for your commitment to improving the health of your community through compassionate care, constant innovation and unwavering dedication!
--Chad Austin