Adventist Hinsdale Hospital chaplain blesses hands of healers

HINSDALE – The blessing of the hands is a symbolic gesture recognizing someone who undertakes a sacred task or duty, and few fields are better suited for such a designation than hospital staff members.

On May 8, Adventist Hinsdale Hospital staff chaplain Lynn Kumis led the hostital's ninth year of anointing the hands of the the staff with blessed oil, and saying a prayer for members in each unit.

The blessing is voluntary ceremony and is open to all faiths.

"It's one of my favorite days of the year when we look at honoring our staff," Kumis said. "It's just a wonderful day to offer this blessing."

But the blessing isn't just for the nurses and physicians.

"We have to remember that we are offering the blessing of the hands to everybody that works here," she said. "Not only all faiths, but every single worker."

As Kumis walked into the Intensive Care Unit of the hospital, she was met with a large group of staff members who were going through usual morning rounds. Afterwards, everyone eagerly awaited the anointment – from doctors, to nurses and all other disciplinarians.

"They all play a huge role in what we do here in the hospital," she said.

The blessing consisted of Kumis applying a small amount of oil on the palms of each individual's hands. She then invited everybody to participate in a group prayer.

The blessing of the hands coordinates with National Nurse's Week, which took place from May 6-12.

Adventist Hinsdale Hospital CNO Shawn Tyrrell also spent the day blessing some of her co-workers hands and explained that National Nurses Week stems from Florence Nightingale, who is considered the founder of modern nursing because of her work during the Crimean War.

While the legend surrounding Nightingale has been exaggerated over time, it is widely accepted that she elevated nursing by treating the whole person – body, mind and spirit.

"We celebrate [National Nurses Week] once a year to recognize the fact that nurses are actually the most trusted profession since Gallop has been assessing society through a poll," Tyrrell said. "Eleven out of the last 12 years nursing has come out as the most trustworthy."

Tyrrell said the nursing team at Adventist Hinsdale is excelling "on every metric," from patient and physician satisfaction to length of stay.

She said during National Nurse's Week, it's a time for the staff to reflect on just how far they've come.

"I think it's a special chance to take a pause and remember why you became a nurse," she said.

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More more information about Adventist Hinsdale Hospital, visit http://www.keepingyouwell.com/ahh.

ABOUT National Nurses Week

National Nurses Week is held annually from May 6-12, which coincides with the birthday of Florence Nightingale, who is widely recognized as the founder of modern nursing. National Nurses Week was first observed in 1954, the 100th anniversary of Nightingale's mission to Crimea.