(From left) Nurses Theresa Nicholson and Gilbert Barco; administrative specialist Erick Ascencio; nurse Adam Fronczek; administrative specialist Araceli Rojas-Herard; and UCLA Health Chief Nurse Executive Karen Grimley. Photo: Mary Kateri Tobias
In the face of a global pandemic, UCLA Health nurses demonstrated incredible resilience, bravery and compassion. To honor these dedicated clinicians during National Nurses Week, UCLA philanthropic partners contributed $125,000, including a lead gift of $50,000 from fashion designer John Elliott.
“Coming from a family of health care professionals, supporting those who put others before themselves was important to me, and this philanthropic partnership with UCLA helped our family find a new sense of clarity,” said Elliott.
The funding made Nurses Week, which begins each year on May 6 and ends on May 12, Florence Nightingale’s birthday, special for UCLA Health’s 4,200 nurses. Recognition events included complimentary breakfast and beverages in the hospital cafeterias, a pizza party, sweet treats from local bakeries, flowers delivered to the nursing units and awards recognizing outstanding service.
Due to COVID-19 restrictions, UCLA nurses not only provided medical care to patients, but also offered comfort when visits from family and friends were restricted.
For more information, contact Lori Gremel at: 310-869-2774.
