87th Medical Group celebrates Nurse and Technician Week 2012 Published May 4, 2012 By Capt. Caitlin Clement 87th Medical Operations Squadron JOINT BASE MCGUIRE-DIX-LAKEHURST, N.J. -- Rawsi Williams, a famous nurse and keynote speaker once said, "To do what nobody else will do, a way that nobody else can do, in spite of all we go through; is to be a nurse." The 87th Medical Group invites the joint base community to join them in celebrating nurses and medical technicians during National Nurses Week from May 6 through 12. National recognition for nurses first started as a one day celebration in 1974. A week was set aside to show appreciation for these professionals who dedicate themselves to a life of serving others by 1991. The week culminates each year on May 12, the anniversary of Florence Nightingale's birthday. Nightingale's leading contributions to nursing came largely from her service during the Crimean War in 1853 to 1856. Her advances in medical standards of practice helped to reduce the death rate of soldiers and developed the foundation for which nursing is based on today. The 87th MDG employs 95 registered nurses and medical technicians, both military and civilian. The team is responsible for caring for approximately 17,000 beneficiaries. Not only do they provide quality care for service members and their families on the home front, but also take on a special responsibility in deployed locations to treat Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen, and Marines. Two nurses and four medics from the 87th MDG deployed to Afghanistan, Iraq and Kyrgyzstan this year alone. The role of medical professionals is very different while deployed than at home station and requires extensive preparation, training, and versatility of its members in order to provide the best care possible in various roles ranging from teaching local populations about healthcare to working in a trauma bay. Currently, two nurses and two medics from the 87th MDG are serving in Afghanistan. While these deployments tax our personnel who are left behind their hard work and dedication does not go unnoticed. The 87th MDG is hosting events to include a joint service opening ceremony with Army counterparts from the Walson Medical Support Element and various morale events to recognize the nursing staff and medical technicians throughout the week. The festivities will conclude with motivational speaker, Kenny Lyons, who will tell his inspiring story about injuries he sustained while deployed in Iraq and his road to recovery. The 87th MDG leadership invites the JB MDL community to extend a word of gratitude or praise to their medical technicians and nurses during visits to the clinic.