Recognizing and honoring the Allied Health Professionals providing services to the City of Philadelphia during National Hospital Week from May 7, 2023 to May 13, 2023.

WHEREAS, National Hospital Week started as a day in 1921 as a way to educate the public and promote confidence in hospitals stemming from the wave of Spanish Flu in 1918; and

WHEREAS, National Hospital Day was later turned into a week in 1953 to coincide with the birthday of Florence Nightingale (May 12th ). Florence helped revolutionize hospital care in the mid-1800s with the early adoption of sanitation practices and was a trailblazer in the nursing profession; and

WHEREAS, Allied Health Professions are defined as health care professions that provide a range of diagnostic, technical, therapeutic and support services relating to health care; and

WHEREAS, More recently, during the COVID-19 pandemic, our men and woman of the Allied Health Professions worked extremely hard to help keep the city safe. As examples: Respiratory Therapists treated critical patients under extreme circumstances; Medical Technicians consistently tested for the COVID-19 virus; Operating Room Technicians continued to assist with surgeries during the pandemic; Pharmacy Technicians maintained critical medicinal equipment in critical care areas; Phlebotomist braved infectious areas to obtain samples of the COVIDE-19 virus; and Social Workers worked as lifelines between patients and families; and

WHEREAS, During this time, 16 hour work days were normal to provide the best care possible while experiencing the scariest time of their careers, rising to the occasion while suffering under the intense pressure and emotional stress from something we have never experienced before in our lifetime; and

WHEREAS, Allied Health Professionals in this city and across the nation have suffered in silence these past few years through their various occupations, where the Covid Pandemic has introduced another level of dedication and sacrifice; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PHILADELPHIA, That it does hereby recognize and honor the Allied Health Professionals providing services to the City of Philadelphia during National Hospital Week.

FURTHER RESOLVED, That an Engrossed copy of this resolution be presented to representatives of Temple University Hospital as evidence of the sincere sentiments of this legislative body.

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