International Nurses Day
International Nurses Day
Every year in May, the world celebrates International Nurses Day—a day when we remember with special warmth and gratitude those whose work requires not only profound knowledge and professional skill, but also a kind heart. We're talking about nurses.
Patients often express gratitude to doctors, and deservedly so. But it's important to understand that the work of nurses is no less vital. They are with the patient every day, sometimes every minute. They are the first to notice changes in a person's condition and are able to reassure, support, instill hope, and give strength during the most difficult moments.
Nurses working in oncology and hematology departments command special respect. This is a profession that requires not only the highest qualifications but also rare mental fortitude. No one raises their voice here. Kindness, patience, and genuine compassion reign. Patients feel they are not simply being treated—they are respected, understood, and pitied. I have witnessed firsthand the skill and dedication of the specialists at Maimonides Cancer Center in Brooklyn. When veins become fragile and nearly inaccessible after chemotherapy, the nurses display true artistry. I saw a nurse kneel down to carefully and painlessly draw blood from a patient, as this was only possible with the patient's arm dangling. This gesture expressed not only professional skill but also profound human compassion.
At this center, patients are greeted with a smile and inquired about not only their test results but also how they are feeling at home, whether they can continue working, and what kind of support they need. Drawing and yoga classes are offered, along with creative workshops, recognizing that treatment should address not only the body but also the soul.
Oncology is one of the most challenging areas of medicine. Nurses witness people's pain and anxiety daily. But thanks to advances in modern medicine, many oncological diseases, especially in the United States, are now being managed as chronic conditions, allowing people to live long and fulfilling lives.
Susan Burdette-Radoux, a world-class professor and author of methods used in leading countries, leads the center's medical director. Her assistant, affectionately known as Dr. Yan (the respected Yan Pronin), provides tremendous support to patients and staff. At this center, professionalism, humanity, and attention to each patient create an atmosphere of trust and hope.
Special thanks go to the specialized oncology nurses in the department administering intravenous chemotherapy and immunotherapy, such as Gennadiy Vornovitsky, Sofia Kuperman, and others. Their skill is so great that even small children don't have time to be frightened: while a child is examining a toy given to them by the caring staff, the procedure is already complete.
Dear nurses and medical brothers!
Thank you for your gifted hands, your endless patience, your kind eyes, and your warm words. Thank you for not only performing the most complex medical procedures but also for giving patients the most precious thing—hope, support, and confidence in the future.
You save lives, relieve suffering, and perform a quiet but true feat every day, given the enormous amount of work you do daily at Cancer Center Maimonides Hospital.
I bow low to you for your noble work.
Marina Lagunova
