National Hospital Week takes place during the week of Florence Nightingale’s birthday, which is on May 12, and took place this year from May 8 to 14 this year. The holiday was established by the American Hospital Association to shine a spotlight on our many hospitals, health systems, and health care workers who strive to save lives daily.
The modern concept of a hospital can be traced back to 331 A.D. During this period, the Roman emperor Constantine I (Constantine the Great) abolished all pre-existing pagan hospitals after converting to Christianity. Before this, the patients were isolated from the community. However, as the Christian tradition emphasized the close relationship of the patient with the community members, it became the responsibility of the community to care for the sick.
In 370 A.D., St. Basil the Great established a religious institution in Cappadocia that included a hospital, which was essentially an isolation unit for those suffering from leprosy. He had also constructed buildings to accommodate the poor, the elderly, and the sick. Following this example, similar hospitals were built in the eastern part of the Roman Empire.
In 1099, the Knights Hospitallers of the Order of St. John led the trend of forming military hospitals. These hospitals fell along the travel routes for easier access and reachability for those who were injured in battle.
Established in 1663, the first hospital within the territory of the present-day United States is said to have been a hospital for soldiers on Manhattan Island. The early hospitals in the U.S. were mostly almshouses — the first was established in 1622, in Boston, Massachusetts. The first incorporated hospital in the U.S. was the Pennsylvania Hospital in Philadelphia, which was successful in acquiring a charter from the crown in 1751.
Each day last week the Jackson Parish Hospital celebrated the special week with different activities including a treasure hunt search. Below is a short day-by-day synopsis of some of the fun filled times that were had with a few pictures sprinkled in to commemorate the occasions.
Day One: A breakfast by Taco de Guero was a great way to kick off the day! For lunch, our staff enjoyed burgers provided by WestRock. Shortly after a scavenger hunt began and the prize was a pizza party for the winning team! The Radiology Team was the winner! The treasure hunt began with the first clue being released.
Day Two: The morning started with breakfast provided by Traina’s Bakery! Shortly after, the next clue was announced for the treasure hunt. Lunchtime rolled around and was catered by Tank’s Tacos. The staff then played ring toss for the chance to take home a two-liter soda before enjoying the annual cakewalk and the Wacky Wednesday dress-up contest.
Wacky Wednesday Winners were:
1st. Ashley Banks
2nd. Shelley Malsam
3rd. Chelsey McBroom
Day Three: To kick off the day, breakfast was provided by Legacy Outpatient Therapy. Another treasure hunt clue was released, but the search still continues! After continuing the vigorous search, lunch was provided by Lagniappe Homecare.
Day Four: Paramount Healthcare Consultants provided a refreshing breakfast this morning. The treasure hunt continued along with overhead bingo words being called throughout the day. For lunch and dessert, a Fair Food Truck was on site.
Day Five: Breakfast was provided by our very own Dietary crew, Culinary Services Group. Congratulations to Lindsay Hall for finding the treasure in the annual treasure hunt! Throughout the day, numbers were called for door prizes! There were winners aplenty. Our delicious lunch was catered by Ben Christmas. This was followed by our outdoor game competition and the winning team was the Suite A clinic crew!
Grit and Grace, the mobile boutique, had a gift basket giveaway and the winner was Kristina Malone!
At the very end of the day, there was a final name drawing for two grand prizes. The two winners were Meagan Lemken and David Bays!
In closing the JPH administration and staff leave you with the following:
“This year’s Hospital Week has been another one for the books. While Friday is our favorite day of hospital week, it does not change that every day is our favorite at Jackson Parish Hospital when we get to serve a community like Jackson Parish and its surrounding areas! Thank you once again to all who donated and helped make this week possible! Thank you to our healthcare heroes here at Jackson Parish Hospital, your hard work and passion for the best patient care around does not go unnoticed!”
The JPH would also like to extend their appreciation to the following sponsors.
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