Palo Alto Daily News Staff Report
May 26, 2012
Stanford Hospital & Clinics has announced that,
beginning on Memorial Day, it will offer patients who identify themselves as
U.S. veterans red, white and blue wristbands in recognition of their military
service.
The words "Stanford Hospital & Clinics Honors U.S.
Military Veterans" are inscribed on the wristbands.
"This is just one small way in which we can thank
veterans for their service and sacrifice," Nancy Lee, chief nursing
officer and vice president of Patient Care Services at Stanford Hospital &
Clinics, said in a written statement. "We hope the wristband will
encourage conversations between patients and caregivers. It's important that we
honor and thank veterans for all they have done for our country."
According to the hospital, the new program was the
brainchild of Greg Hoovler, an registered nurse who works in Stanford's Cath
Angio Recovery Unit.
Hoovler came up with the idea last year on Veteran's Day
when he realized the hospital didn't have any method of honoring patients and
employees who had served in the military.
"It also occurred to me that instead of recognizing
these men and women for their sacrifices just one day a year, why not make this
a daily practice?" Hoovler said in a written statement.
"As a nurse, I often ask patients about their service
and personally thank them," he added. "I find that for many, they are
grateful that we ask and proud when they have an opportunity to talk about their
military service. For our older veterans, this dialogue is often very
therapeutic and creates a bond with the caregiver. This communication enriches
the hospital experience for both caregiver and patient."
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