FORT LEE, Va. (Feb. 9, 2017) -- Kenner Army Health Clinic staffers celebrated the 116th anniversary of the Army Nurse Corps with a cake-cutting ceremony Feb. 2 in the command conference room.
Lt. Col. Stacey Freeman, chief nursing officer and deputy commander for Health Readiness, was the event host. The theme of this year's anniversary was, "Leading Readiness and Professional Practice: Getting it done since 1901!"
Maj. Gen. Barbara Holcomb, Chief of the Army Nurse Corps, said in a statement about the ANC anniversary, "Readiness is our priority, and we want to continue focus on professional practice so we can use this to help our corps understand the roles in each area. Professional practice is about 'a way of being.'"
The message is reflective of Army Chief of Staff Gen. Mark A. Milley's No. 1 priority of readiness. This priority is echoed throughout the chain of command, from the Office of the Army Surgeon General down to local clinic level at KAHC. The Army Nurse Corps and Army Nurses at Kenner work diligently to support the Army's medical readiness.
"Investing in education and evidenced-based practice is the key to supporting the Army's mission of medical readiness and providing optimal health care to our Soldiers, family members and retirees," said Freeman, regarding the readiness theme.
The anniversary celebration at the clinic featured a presentation on the history of the Army Nurse Corps. It was founded by law on Feb. 2, 1901, however, the history of Army nursing can be traced back to the Revolutionary War. In 1775, Gen. George Washington petitioned the Continental Congress for funds for medical support to help the Army. A ratio of one nurse to every 10 patients was authorized, with a $2-per-month salary each.
After the history presentation, each of the Army Nurse Corps officers at Kenner gave a short presentation about their experiences, and the missions and deployments in which they have participated.
"The continued success of the Army Nurse Corps is attributed to its strong and visionary leaders of the past and present, and their ability to lead, coach and mentor our future leaders," Freeman said.
Capt. Anna Park, clinical nurse officer in charge of Troop Medical Clinic 1, reflected on her feelings about the anniversary.
"I am extremely honored to be a member of the Army Nurse Corps team," she said. "It has such a distinguished history and proud heritage. These years of service are the best of my life. I couldn't imagine a better career, a better job, or working in a better place; and the best part is working with my Nurse Corps colleagues on a daily basis. It is such an honor and privilege to serve as an Army Nurse Corps Officer at Kenner."
Maj. Brando Jobity, a nurse practitioner in the Active Duty Clinic and the junior-most ANC officer by time in service, and Freeman, the senior-most nurse at Kenner, culminated the celebration with the ceremonial cutting of cake. A small reception followed.
To read more about the Army Nurse Corps, visit www.armynursecorps.amedd.army.mil. The ANC also has a Facebook page where visitors can view the anniversary message from Holcomb.
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