Mangalore: International Nurses' Day celebrated at Father Muller
Media Release
Mangalore, May 11: The International Nurses' Day and the finale of the Nurses' Week Celebrations 2013 at Father Muller College of Nursing here began with a thanksgiving Eucharistic celebration on Saturday May 11, a day prior to the officially designated day, May 12.
A felicitation and cultural programme was organised at 11 am at the Silver Jubilee Hall with Fr Patrick Rodrigues as the president and Asha D’silva, corporator, Mangalore City Corporation as the chief guest.
The programme began with a prayer dance led by the senior nursing staff. Darryl Aranha, nursing superintendent, Father Muller Medical College Hopsital welcomed the distinguished gathering. As a mark of respect to the nursing profession, Asha D’silva garlanded the portrait of Florence Nightingale and Fr Patrick Rodrigues garlanded the portrait of Father Muller as a mark of honour to the founder of the Institutions.
The report of the Nurses' Week Celebrations was presented by Sharon Pais, assistant nursing superintendent, through a audio-video arts. Prizes were distributed to all the winners of the various events by Fr Richard Coelho, Asha D’silva and Fr Patrick Rodrigues.
Sr Carmine Pereira, a strong driving force of the Nursing Fraternity during the 1980s and 90s was honoured as the veteran nurse. Sr Carmine Pereira shared her experiences at the Institutions and inspired the audience to continue carrying the light of Nightingale with dedication and selfless service.
Fr Richard Coelho stressed on the importance of the healing touch that should be derived from the Divine Healer. Asha D’silva highlighted the importance of health related goals in the health care profession. She expressed her due respect to the global nursing fraternity for their constant care and service.
In his presidential address, director Fr Patrick Rodrigues expressed his sincere gratitude to the nursing fraternity at Father Muller as well as lauded the good work that the nurses do everyday throughout the year thus globally upholding the name of the Institutions. The felicitation programme came to an end with a vote of thanks proposed by Sr Aileen Mathias, chief nursing officer. She put on record the contributions of each and everyone for making these celebrations meaningful and successful. The short cultural programme was put up by the staff nurses which enhanced the joy of the Nurses' Day celebrations.
The Nurse’s Week celebration was inaugurated on May 6 at the Asha Kiran grounds at 7:15 am. After invoking the blessings of the Almighty, Sr Aileen Mathias welcomed the gathering. The Nurses' Week was inaugurated with the unveiling of cut-out of Florence Nightingale by the chief guest Dr Jaya Prakash Alva, fean, Father Muller Medical College.
It was followed by a dance performance by our young Nightingales that elucidated the theme of the year: 'Closing the Gap: Millennium Development Goals. 8, 7, 6, 5, 4, 3, 2, 1.' Fr Richard Coelho, administrator, Father Muller Medical College Hospital, lit the Nightingale lamp. The programme poster was released by Sr Lizzy, Superior of St Vincent’s convent. Dr J P Alva, dean, Father Muller Medical College spoke about the responsibility of all Health Care workers towards achievement of the Millennium Development Goals. Fr Patrick Rodrigues, director delivered the Presidential address and the inaugural event ended with a vote of thanks proposed by Darryl Aranha, nursing superintendent, Father Muller Medical College Hospital.
Nursing service department organised a Panel Discussion on the theme. Eight groups consisting of 5 panellists discussed the application of the strategies in the various fields of nursing. Various cultural, literary, art and craft and sports activities were organised for the staff nurses. In order to facilitate active participations from all quarters, all the nurses were grouped into 8 teams. There was an active participation in all activities.