Celebrating National Nurses Week: Honoring the Heart of Public Health

By Jessica Carey, Personal Health Unit Director

The Garrett County Health Department proudly celebrates National Nurses Week by recognizing our nurses’ essential role in protecting and promoting community health. Since Florence Nightingale laid the foundation for modern nursing in 1853, nurses have remained on the front lines of public health, delivering compassionate care, preventing disease, and advancing wellness for all.

Today, our public health nurses are the backbone of vital programs that support individuals and families across every stage of life. From the Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) nutrition program to Healthy Families, which nurtures early childhood development, nurses educate, guide, and empower the people they serve.

Nurses in Behavioral Health, Assessments, Evaluation & Review Services (AERS), Home Health, and Personal Health provide expert, client-centered care that addresses physical and mental well-being. Their work treats illness and helps prevent its spread, creating a healthier, stronger community.

“Our nurses are leaders, advocates, and healers,” said Garrett County Health Officer Jennifer Hare. “During National Nurses Week, we celebrate their dedication to public health and commitment to improving the quality of life here in Garrett County.”

Please join the Garrett County Health Department in honoring our public health nurses for their expertise, compassion, and service. Their efforts save lives, strengthen families, and build a healthier future for everyone.