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ABERDEEN PROVING GROUND, Md. — To recognize the dedication and resiliency of nurses, Kirk U.S. Army Health Clinic hosted a National Nurses Week proclamation signing ceremony at the KUSAHC Ortiz Training Center on May 16, 2025.
The event was attended by APG Senior Commander and Commanding General of the U.S. Army Communications-Electronics Command Maj. Gen. James D. Turinetti IV, CECOM Command Sgt. Maj. Jay High, Deputy to the Garrison Commander Varman Chhoeung, and Harford County Executive Bob Cassilly, who signed the proclamation. The theme for Nurses Week 2025 was "Courage to Soar," emphasizing the bravery and resilience required in the nursing profession.
“This year is all about honoring our nurses and the courage they exemplify every day,” said KUSAHC Deputy Commander for Nursing Lt. Col. Julia Ryan. “Nurses Week may just last seven days, but the impact nurses have on patients, their families, and the entire health care system is felt every single day.”
Before presenting the proclamation, Cassilly, an Iraq War veteran, said he appreciates the relationship the installation has with the community, and expressed gratitude to the nurses at KUSAHC for taking care of service members, veterans, and their families. Cassilly added that he has received care at KUSAHC.
“We extend our heartfelt appreciation to your commitment to providing exceptional care and unwavering support to your patients every day during routine visits and times of crisis,” Cassilly said.
KUSAHC Commander Col. Lauris Trimble thanked the nurses for their dedication to their patients. Trimble said that week, coincidentally, the clinic underwent a week-long survey inspection by The Joint Commission, which happens every three years. The on-site survey is focused on patient safety and quality. Trimble told the nurses the surveyors noticed their hard work.
“I heard nothing but positive feedback from the surveyors,” she said. “They were extremely impressed with the way you had the clinic set up, the cleanliness, and the patient interactions that they traced and observed in-person.”
Trimble said the nursing staff drive lasting change at KUSAHC by addressing safety concerns promptly. Nurses spend significantly more time with patients than any other healthcare provider and can make a big impact, she added.
"Nurses are the core to us being able to accomplish patient safety goals," Trimble said. “Everyone in the healthcare organization, from providers to administrators to medics, we all look to nurses to provide that oversight on patient safety."
According to Trimble, KUSAHC nurses also help contribute to readiness, ensuring the Soldiers are ready to deploy when needed.
The event also included a cake-cutting ceremony, and superlative awards were given to nurses, whom their peers chose: "The Charting Champion," Beth Nacincik; "The Energizer Bunny," Kandy Hall; "The Most Inspirational," Christina Begay-Metcalf; "The Most Organized," 1st Lt. Megan Vera; "The Compassionate Caregiver," Michelle Sedlak; "The Snack Stash Keeper," Mary Baker; "The Sunshine Award," Crystal Wright; "The Tech Guru," Melissa Walker.
Pediatric nurse practitioner Heidi Jackson, who has 47 years of nursing experience, said she finds her job rewarding. According to Jackson, Soldiers with children often live far from their extended families, so they might turn to a caregiver, like a nurse, for advice and reassurance.
“I have been involved with the military since I was a young girl, I was a military brat, and so the military has been my way of life, and it makes me feel good that I am supporting the Soldiers,” she said.
For more photos, visit https://www.flickr.com/photos/usagapg/albums/72177720326274500.
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