UH Hosts Education Program on 'Diversity and Inclusion in Nursing' for Year of the Nurse and Midwife
February 06, 2020
CLEVELAND – University Hospitals, with a 154-year history of nursing excellence, is joining with other Northeast Ohio medical centers and nursing schools to honor and celebrate nurses in 2020 which has been designated the “Year of the Nurse and Midwife” by the World Health Organization (WHO).
This year marks the 200th anniversary of the birth of Florence Nightingale, the founder of modern nursing. Following her pioneering clinical work during the Crimean War, Nightingale became an outspoken champion for health care improvements, especially those pertaining to infection control.
“In the eyes of our patients and community neighbors, nurses make University Hospitals special,” said Thomas F. Zenty III, CEO of UH. “Their kindness, concern, advocacy and genuine compassion help UH stand out. We are fortunate to have 7,000-plus knowledgeable and dedicated nursing professionals representing our health system on the front lines of providing care.”
As part of the Year of the Nurse and Midwife programming, UH will sponsor a free educational event called “Diversity and Inclusion in Nursing.” It is for nurses and nursing students on Feb. 27, from 2:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. at FirstEnergy Stadium’s 7UP City Club. Margaret Larkins-Pettigrew, MD, UH Clinical Diversity Officer and the Edgar B. Jackson Jr., MD, Chair of Clinical Excellence & Diversity, will lead a panel discussion about the subject. Continuing education credits will be provided. (There may be a charge for parking.)
“Diversity and inclusion is the combination of different cultures, ideas, and perspectives bringing forth greater collaboration and innovation that lead to better patient care and overall satisfaction,” said Melissa D. Cole, MSN, Vice President, Center for Emergency Medicine at UH. “Diversity in the profession of nursing is essential because it improves the overall quality of care patients receive. If we have nurses who understand their patients’ culture, environment, food, and customs, they can provide their patients with ultimate care.”
The declaration of 2020 as The International Year of the Nurse and Midwife, by the WHO, asserts the world will need 9 million more nurses and midwives to achieve universal health coverage by 2030. The organization also will produce the first-ever State of the World’s Nursing report, which will be released prior to the 73rd WHO World Health Assembly in May.