So, tonight I wish to share thoughts about my nursing colleagues –past and present.

I worked for nearly 27 years at one job, Lehigh Valley Health Network –a special place that grew along with a community that went from a farmland to a major urban center.

Now, I’ve returned home, to finish my career at Einstein Medical Center Montgomery –a true gem in the community where I grew up. It’s very cool to be pursuing a new career when most folks might be thinking about retiring. Truth is, I’ll probably never retire!

When people ask me, “What does it take? How do you do it?” I always smile and say simply, “It’s the team… it’s always about the team.”

The “heart” of any health team has always been our wonderful nurses. This is “Nurses Week” –a week to recognize these hard-working professionals, who are truly on the front lines, day and night, every day, every holiday, no matter the weather, no matter the stress, or the lack of thanks.

Nurses dedicate their lives to serving others. Whatever success I’ve enjoyed in my career has always been because of the team that surrounds me –nurses, PA’s, and staff. Past or present, I’ve been blessed with the best!

The painting shown above was purchased by me at the American Heart Association Heart Ball Auction. It was a gift to our heart team. It captures the essence of heart nurses, who literally hold their patients’ hearts in their hands.

To all nurses, everywhere, to the thousands who will work all night tonight, saving lives, to all who leave their families to take care of others, to all who know what sacrifice truly means… I say, thank you, to one and all.

With gratitude,

Raymond Singer, MD