After speaking to nurses at one Kaiser Permanente hospital, Bernard J. Tyson, chairman and CEO of the Oakland, Calif.-based health system, was "in awe" of their commitment to and compassion for patients, according to a LinkedIn post he published May 8.
He credits nurses for attending to patients' "most pressing medical issues," delivering babies and staying beside "our loved ones to ensure dignified endings." Those who opt into the profession are doing more than building a career, according to Mr. Tyson; they're answering a call. "I want to encourage others to answer this call," he wrote. "If we are to realize a healthcare system that creates an even better patient experience and improves outcomes, we will need these kinds of nurses."
In addition to helping health systems foster a culture of communication, teamwork, learning and innovation, "perhaps most importantly [nurses] consistently deliver exceptional, compassionate care to patients," wrote Mr. Tyson. "The common trait I observe again and again is our nurses' ability to demonstrate a warmth and competency that create a sense of security when you're feeling vulnerable."
In his tribute to nurses — which comes amid National Nurses Week — Mr. Tyson thanked the nurses of Kaiser for "answering the call and for bringing us health and healing."