Celebrating "National Hospital Week" on May 10-16, 2026, in the State of Rhode Island

WHEREAS, National Hospital Day was set aside in honor of Florence Nightingale, the woman who made nursing a respectable profession and who revolutionized the way hospitals were run. The May th observance was expanded to a week-long event in 1953 so that hospitals could use it to plan and implement more extensive public information programs, and is currently sponsored by the American Hospital Association; and

WHEREAS, National Hospital Week 2026 celebrates hospitals, health systems, and the women and men who support the health and well-being of their communities through dedication and care from the heart; and

WHEREAS, Hospitals in the United States deliver approximately 3.5 million babies, employ roughly 6.3 million people, and provide emergency care to around 137 million individuals each year; and

WHEREAS, Hospitals in Rhode Island supported more than 60,000 jobs, generated approximately $11.7 billion in total economic output, and produced $779.3 million in state and local tax revenue in 2024, resulting in a significant impact on both community health and the economy; and

WHEREAS, Providing everything from emergency care, labor and delivery, minor surgery, and specialized care, hospitals big and small fill a vital need in our communities and every nurse, doctor, practitioner and staff member is essential in the compassionate delivery of these much-needed quality services; and

WHEREAS, National Hospital Week is a time to raise awareness of the importance of hospitals and health systems and to highlight the critical role hospitals and healthcare professionals play in our local communities; now, therefore be it

RESOLVED, That this Senate of the State of Rhode Island hereby recognizes May 10- 16, 2026, as "National Hospital Week", and acknowledges and thanks Rhode Island's healthcare professionals for working diligently to provide countless men, women, and families with quality health services and for building a brighter tomorrow for future generations; and be it further

RESOLVED, That the Secretary of State be and hereby is authorized and directed to transmit a duly certified copy of this resolution to Michael Sroczynski, President of the Hospital Association of Rhode Island.