Lakenheath Nurses celebrate Nurses Week at Westminster Abbey

LONDON – Nurses and technicians from the 48th Medical Group celebrated Nurses Week by participating in a ceremony at Westminster Abbey on May 11, 2011. The commemoration ceremony honors the life and work of Florence Nightingale as well as nurses, midwives and medical support staff world-wide. (Photo courtesy of 48th Medical Group)

Lakenheath Nurses celebrate Nurses Week at Westminster Abbey

LONDON – British nursing and midwife students from the Open University in East Anglia and Queen’s and Ulster University Schools of Nursing in Northern Ireland, line up to escort the Florence Nightingale Lamp during a ceremony at Westminster Abbey, May 11, 2011. Nurses and technicians from the 48th Medical Group celebrated Nurses Week by participating in the commemoration ceremony honoring the life and work of Florence Nightingale. The ceremony also honors nurses, midwives and medical support staff world-wide. (Photo courtesy of 48th Medical Group)

Lakenheath Nurses celebrate Nurses Week at Westminster Abbey

LONDON – The Lamp is considered a symbol of Florence Nightingale. During the Procession of the Lamp, it is escorted by nurses as it travels from the Florence Nightingale Chapel to the Westminster Abbey High Altar, May 11, 2011. Nurses and technicians from the 48th Medical Group celebrated Nurses Week by participating in a ceremony at Westminster Abbey. The commemoration ceremony honors the life and work of Florence Nightingale as well as nurses, midwives and medical support staff world-wide. (Photo courtesy of 48th Medical Group)

Lakenheath Nurses celebrate Nurses Week at Westminster Abbey

Published May 19, 2011
By Maj. Nisa Hogle
48th Medical Group

LONDON -- Members from the 48th Medical Group celebrated Nurses Week by participating in a commemoration ceremony honoring the life and work of Florence Nightingale at Westminster Abbey on May 11, 2011.

The 22 Liberty Wing nurses and technicians served as ushers during the annual ceremony, which honors nurses, midwives and medical support staff world-wide.

"I am so proud to wear (the uniform) and stand beside the greatest group of (Air Force) nurses I have had the pleasure of serving with," said Maj. Kristi Norcross, 48th Surgical Operations Squadron certified nurse-midwife.

This is the second year nurses and technicians from the 48th MDG have participated in the ceremony, which included guest speakers and a traditional Procession of the Lamp. The Lamp is considered a symbol of Florence Nightingale. During the procession the Lamp is escorted by nurses and travels from the Florence Nightingale Chapel to the Westminster Abbey High Altar.

"It was truly an honor to be able to represent the (USAF) Nurse Corp at such an inspiring event," said Capt. Steffanie Solberg, 48th MDG Infection Prevention and Control nurse.

According to the Florence Nightingale Museum, she is considered the founder of modern nursing. Her writings continue to be a resource for nurses, health managers and planners to this day.