Farmingville, NY - On October 14, the Town of Brookhaven honored Emergency Nurses from St. Charles Hospital, Mather Hospital, Long Island Community Hospital and Stony Brook University Hospital who have served on the front lines during the COVID-19 pandemic. The hospitals are all located in the Town of Brookhaven. Each year, the annual Emergency Nurses Association (ENA) celebration occurs on the second Wednesday of October and has been celebrated since 1989. This year is the 50th anniversary of the ENA and Florence Nightingale's 200th anniversary. Known as “The Lady with the Lamp,” Nightingale was a British nurse and social reformer best known as the founder of modern nursing. Her experiences as a nurse during the Crimean War were foundational in her views about sanitation.
The Emergency Nurses Association is the premier professional nursing organization dedicated to defining the future of emergency nursing. Its mission is to advance excellence in emergency nursing. Pictured left to right are: Councilwoman Valerie M. Cartright, Councilman Kevin LaValle, Phyllis Parker RN Retired, Supervisor Ed Romaine, Mary DaSilva RN, Assistant Nurse Manager at Long Island Community Hospital and president of the Suffolk County Chapter of the Emergency Nurses Association, Councilwoman Jane Bonner and Councilman Dan Panico.
Supervisor Ed Romaine said, “Nurses are the compassionate caregivers who stand between us and the illnesses that we face. On this day, we look at them and say, ‘thank you for your service’ and for working hard to protect and comfort patients year after year, especially during this pandemic.”
Councilman Kevin LaValle said, “Today, we come together to celebrate the nurses who have put their lives on the line throughout this pandemic. They have done a fantastic job and we honor their efforts to care for those who need it most and for helping them to heal. They are real heroes in my book.”
Councilwoman Jane Bonner said, “These have been difficult times for everyone in the workplace, especially nurses who are on the front lines. My heart goes out to them as they face the challenges with care and compassion for every patient. We are all grateful for the sacrifices they make every day.”
Councilman Neil Foley said, “I cannot say enough about the courage shown by the nurses who are battling the COVID-19 pandemic every day. These women and men are the real ‘superheroes’ who we can all look up to as an example of what it means to be one. They deserve a sincere ‘thank you’ for their efforts to keep this virus in check.”
Councilman Michael Loguercio said, “As a first responder, I have great respect for the dedication that nurses have for the difficult job they do. Today, they are literally risking their lives to help those who are ill because of this terrible virus. I pray that they remain safe while in harms way and thank them for their commitment to helping their neighbors in need.”
Councilman Dan Panico said, “Our first line of defense against this pandemic are the nurses who put on the uniform to battle this pandemic. I thank them for their dedication and courage under the most difficult circumstances. They are the care givers who will help lead the way to put an end to this virus once and for all.”
Councilwoman Valerie Cartright said, “I am proud to say that Stony Brook, St. Charles and Mather Hospitals are in my Council District and they perform such a great service to the community. The nurses there are dedicated to helping those stricken with the COVID-19 virus and other illnesses and they deserve our deepest gratitude and respect. I thank them all for the job that they do while caring for those who need them most.”
