Army Nurse Corps marks 110th anniversary
Army Nurse Corps marks 110th anniversary
The Army Nurse Corps celebrated its 110th anniversary and another chapter in its rich tradition of dedicated service on Feb. 2.The theme for this year’s celebration "Touching Lives for 110 Years" epitomizes the women and men of the Army Nurse Corps and is the essence of what Army nurses do every day.What the Army Nurse Corps has doneMen and women have served as Army nurses since 1775.The history of the Army Nurse Corps, however, dates back to 1901 when Army nurses became a part of the Army Medical Department.Today, under the leadership of Maj. Gen. Patricia D. Horoho, deputy surgeon general and chief of the Army Nurse Corps, more than 9,000 Army nurses are on active duty, in the U.S. Army Reserve or National Guard. They support military and humanitarian missions in the U.S. and overseas.Horoho developed a four-year campaign plan with a 15-year blueprint to transform the Army Nurse Corps into a vibrant, relevant and flexible corps of the future.Leader development, warrior care, evidence based management and human capitol are the four strategic imperatives for the Army Nurse Corps. Plans for the futureCapitalizing on a legacy and history of dedicated service, the Army Nurse Corps continues to learn from its historic past as it transforms for the future as part of the Army surgeon general’s Culture of Trust initiative.The Army Nursing System of Care, an initiative first piloted at Blanchfield Army Community Hospital, Fort Campbell, Ky., is being rolled out at Madigan, Brooke and Womack Army Medical Centers and eventually to all Army military treatment facilities over the next 12 months, to ensure that one standard of care exists for all patients at every Army medical facility. Important todayThe Army Nurse Corps has stood shoulder-to-shoulder with the Army since 1901, providing care and touching the lives of soldiers and service members, retirees and their family members.The Army Nurse Corps is driving change in support of the Army, Army medicine and the nursing profession.For the Army Nurse Corps, its motto says it all "Embrace the Past" – leverage the lessons learned – "Engage the Present" – achieve performance excellence – "Envision the Future"– ensure organizational credibility and sustainability.