CSSMCW Hosts “A Night of Light” Honoring Nursing Legacy

CSSMCW Hosts "A Night of Light" Honoring Nursing Legacy

Last evening, Chan Soon-Shiong Medical Center at Windber hosted A Night of Light: Honoring Our Nursing Legacy, a meaningful Nurses Week tribute recognizing nurses past, present, and future while celebrating the birthday of Florence Nightingale, the founder of modern nursing.

The May 12 ceremony, held along Somerset Avenue in front of the hospital, brought together current and former nurses, hospital staff, students, and members of the community for an evening of reflection, remembrance, and gratitude. Glowing luminary bags lined the hospital grounds, symbolizing the compassion, dedication, and lasting impact of generations of nurses who have cared for the community throughout the hospital's history.

Vice President of Nursing Sherri Spinos opened the ceremony, followed by Clinical Services Coordinator Patty Snyder, who shared a brief history of the Windber Hospital School of Nursing, which began in 1916. Snyder reflected on the hospital's longstanding legacy as a teaching institution and recognized the many graduates who helped shape healthcare in the region over the decades.

Guests also heard heartfelt reflections from Dorothy Charney, a 1957 graduate of the Windber Hospital School of Nursing, who spoke about her experiences as a young nursing student and the memories she carried throughout her career.

"No matter where you worked, what [type of uniform] you wore, we always were taught to improve the quality of care and life for anyone that we cared for," Charney shared during the ceremony.

Patty Snyder also shared written memories from sisters Ann Cannonie, Class of 1951, and Kay Paulochik, Class of 1953, offering a touching glimpse into the legacy and traditions of nursing education at Windber.

The Somerset County Nurse Honor Guard delivered a moving presentation honoring the life and service of nurses, reminding attendees that "the nurse never truly leaves. She moves from the bedside to the hearts she shaped, the lives she touched, to eternity itself."

The ceremony concluded with student nurses Donovan Faith and McKenzie Roberts reciting the Florence Nightingale Pledge before attendees gathered for refreshments in the hospital registration area.

"The legacy of nursing is one of compassion, strength and unwavering service," said Spinos. "Nurses have always been the heart of health care, caring for people in their most vulnerable moments and shaping healthier communities for generations."

"A Night of Light" was created to honor the resilience, compassion, and commitment of nurses throughout the organization's history while recognizing the vital role nurses continue to play in patient care today.