Saint John’s Health Center and Florence Nightingale have a lot in common. ‘Both can trace their commitment to compassionate care to the mid-1800s and both have a long legacy of nursing excellence. It only seems fitting that Saint John’s will host an exhibit of original, handwritten letters by Nightingale’considered the founder of modern nursing ‘ on August 24 and 25 in the atrium of the hospital’s Howard Keck Center. The letters, written in 1861, feature Nightingale’s extraordinary vision for a higher standard of nursing education and training. While she is remembered for her compassionate commitment to patient safety and healing, Nightingale also was a prolific letter writer. Purchased in 2009 by the publisher of NurseWeek, her letters are typically on display at nursing events, in museums or at fundraising galas. The letters are a perfect fit for Saint John’s, since Florence Nightingale was a woman devoted to advancing and improving patient care, especially for the poor and vulnerable. In 1860, she laid the foundation of professional nursing when she established her own nursing school. While at the same time, the Sisters of Charity of Leavenworth, who founded Saint John’s more than 60 years ago, were working towards the same goal. In 1864, the Sisters opened the first private hospital in Kansas, with the first trained nurse in the state. Now in the 21st century, Saint John’s and its nurses continue to carry out that shared vision. The exhibit will be open to the public on Tuesday, August 24 from 2:30 p.m. to 4 p.m. and Wednesday, August 25 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. For more information about the Nightingale Letter Exhibit, visit www.stjohns.org.
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