D-M celebrates Nurse Appreciation Week Published May 11, 2012 By Airman 1st Class Michael Washburn 355th Fighter Wing Public Affairs DAVIS-MONTHAN AIR FORCE BASE, Ariz. -- The 355th Medical Group on D-M is celebrating National Nurse Appreciation Week from May 6-12. There were a number of events for the nurses and technicians to enjoy, most notably a luncheon May 9 with special guest speakers Capt. Merilys Brown and Col. Donna Cousino. Brown was a flight nurse during World War II and Cousino was a nurse during the Vietnam War. On May 10 and 11, the 355th MDG held a catered breakfasts in recognition of the clinic's nurses. "Nursing is a profession that doesn't get a lot of recognition," said Capt. Angela Shockley, 355th Medical Group nurse manager of flight medicine. "This is a way for us as a group to thank all our nurses for all their hard work. They're really the backbone of the healthcare profession, so it's a nice way of giving back to them." The nurses and technicians of the Medical Group are often separated and work in their own sections. Not only is the luncheon and breakfasts a way to say thanks, it also brings everyone together and allows for mingling amongst coworkers. "The most rewarding thing about putting on these events is being able to unite everyone," said Maj. Ofelia Tennyson, 355th Medical Group health care integrator. "We don't get an opportunity to interact with other nurses, so it's nice to be able to come together and socialize." National Nurse Appreciation Week ends on May 12, the birthday of Florence Nightingale, the founder of modern nursing. Nurse Appreciation Week dates back to 1954, which marked the 100th anniversary of Nightingale's mission to provide medical care during the Crimea war.