Maria Parham Health Honors Nurses During Weeklong Celebration

Maria Parham Health proudly celebrated National Nurses Week from May 6 through May 9, honoring the extraordinary dedication, compassion, and resilience of its nursing team. Throughout the week, events were held to show appreciation for the difficult and essential work nurses perform every day.

The celebration kicked off on Tuesday, May 6, with a festive ice cream sundae bar available to both day and night shift nurses. MPH team members also enjoyed a delicious variety of lunch options from local food trucks including Soulbachi, Bologna Boyz Food Wagon, and Smoking Aces.

On Wednesday, May 7, the hospital hosted its much-loved Annual Nurses’ Breakfast, providing a hearty meal to energize our healthcare heroes for the demanding day ahead.

Thursday, May 8, featured a particularly meaningful tradition: The Blessing of the Hands. Led by Pastor Frank Sossamon, this sacred ceremony acknowledges the physical and spiritual work of nurses, asking for strength, compassion, and protection as they provide care and healing to others. The Blessing of the Hands is a longstanding ritual in healthcare settings, symbolizing the deep connection between the caregiver and the patient, and affirming the sacredness of the healing profession.

The week concluded on Friday, May 9, with a caffeine boost: nurses were treated to coffee from Love is Coffee.

Throughout the week, nurses were also entered into drawings for nearly 100 valuable prizes, generously donated by community sponsors. Maria Parham Health extends heartfelt thanks to the following businesses and individuals who made these giveaways possible:

Henderson Sponsors
Nella Roos • Charles Boyd • Chick-fil-A • Auto Brite • George’s • The Attic • Hair Loft • Jersey Mike’s • Postal Plus/NC Flavors • Wester Insurance • NG Nails • Ichibar • Vanco Outdoor Equipment • Sossamon Funeral Home

Oxford Sponsors
Art and Craft Space • Southern Style Mercantile • Tobacco Wood • Oasis • Bliss Nutrition

Wake Forest Sponsor
Salon Serenity

Special thanks also go to Jane Haithcock, Connie Roberson, Kay Hall, and our MPH doctors for their generous contributions and support throughout the week.

Maria Parham Health is deeply grateful to its nurses—not just during Nurses Week, but every day—for their tireless service and commitment to patient care.

“Our nurses are truly the backbone of this hospital,” said Maria Parham Health CEO Bert Beard. “Their compassion, expertise, and unwavering commitment to our patients and community are nothing short of inspiring. This week was just one way for us to say ‘thank you’ for all that they do.”

Maria Parham Health proudly celebrates the vital role nurses play in delivering high-quality, compassionate healthcare across our region.