Posted: 2/12/2020
More than 3,500 cards expected to be distributed during sixth annual event
In an effort to spread the love this Valentine’s Day nurses at Parkland Health & Hospital System will be delivering handwritten cards to every patient throughout the system. It’s the sixth year Parkland nurses have gone back to their youth by passing out cards.
The theme of this year’s event, scheduled from Feb. 13-16, is “Parkland Cares for You” and nurses plan to deliver more than 3,500 signed Valentine’s to hospitalized patients and those in Parkland’s network of community-based health centers. Signing and delivering the cards, they say, is something they look forward to in the days and weeks leading up to Valentine’s Day.
“Showing that we care with this small but tangible expression of compassion is a way for our nurses and staff to go beyond traditional medical care and relate to the emotional needs of our patients as well,” said Karen Watts, MSN, RN, NEA-BC, Parkland’s Executive Vice President and Chief Nursing Executive. “Whether they are dealing with an injury or an illness, when a patient receives a Valentine from the staff caring for them it’s an unexpected gift that we hope will brighten their day and take their minds off their physical problems for a few moments.”
Parkland’s Professional Excellence in Nursing (PEN) Council sponsors the project and provides English- and Spanish-language Valentine’s for their colleagues to personalize for their patients. Parkland’s leadership also takes part in sharing their heart by signing cards.
“The reaction on a patient’s face is always priceless and unforgettable,” said Crystal Cigarroa, BSN, RN, who works in Parkland’s ED Observation Unit. “It never fails to bring a smile to a patient’s face.”
Alexa Kehoe, BSN, RN, has been participating in passing our Valentine’s cards in Parkland’s Surgical ICU for the past two years.
“In the past, I would just give the cards to my patients, but after seeing the impact it can have I plan to give out a lot more this year,” Kehoe said. “I think the staff and patients really enjoy it because it’s something a little different and makes the day feel special.”
After receiving his Valentine from Kehoe, Christopher Freeman, a patient in Parkland’s Surgical ICU, offered his gratitude. “Thank you again for choosing me to give this card to, it really made my day. After being in the hospital for so long it was nice to have something a little different happen and to know someone is thinking about me.”
Kehoe added, “Seeing how it affects patients in a positive way has led me to encourage staff to give out more cards and spread more happiness throughout the hospital. This has definitely inspired me to send Valentine’s to my friends and family as well.”
Cigarroa echoed the sentiment noting, “I enjoy treating my daughter to her own Valentine’s Day basket with treats and a Valentine’s Day card. I also like to treat close family and friends. The gesture is small, but sweet.”
For more information about services available at Parkland, please visit www.parklandhospital.com