The Nursing Event: Nightingale Award Ceremony Illuminates the Path to National Health with Professionalism
AI in Clinical Nursing: A New Era of Elderly Care
Artificial intelligence has created immense value and addressed numerous challenges in the medical field. However, the greater contributors behind the push for high-tech advancements are the "nursing staff." They meticulously bridge the gap between patients and healthcare, identify health crises among the populace, and weave a comprehensive care network. As the largest group within medical personnel, "nursing staff" also play a pivotal role in the government’s long-term care policies. Adapting to the changing times, these angels in white use technology and professional wisdom to enhance the quality of care across every corner of Taiwan. The 13th Nightingale Award Ceremony was held on the eve of International Nurses Day, with 66 nursing elites from various fields receiving honors today (4th), showcasing the beauty of nursing through their exceptional contributions.
The "Nightingale Award," the first award for nursing staff organized spontaneously by a private Taiwanese group, has entered its 13th year. Established by the Cih Yue Charity Foundation based on the principles of "giving back to society and caring for the underprivileged," it honors outstanding nursing teams and individuals in Taiwan. Chairman 林保雍 and the advisory team gathered friends from the business community to join in the celebration, hoping to create a good nursing environment and enhance the professional image of nursing, while jointly safeguarding national health. To date, the awards have been presented to 95 nurses and 35 nursing teams!
Premier 陳建仁 expressed gratitude to the Cih Yue Charity Foundation for its support of the nursing community, which rekindles the original care intentions of nursing staff and raises public awareness of nursing. The government also vigorously promotes various nursing policies, serving as the strongest support for nursing staff. The incoming Premier 卓榮泰, who describes himself as a lifelong volunteer of the Cih Yue Charity Foundation, stated in his speech, "Taiwan's repeated ranking as number one in the Global Health Care Index is thanks to the efforts of medical and nursing personnel. This year, the judges’ special award is added to honor the nursing department of Chi Mei Hospital for its meticulous service to nursing staff within the hospital, raising the level of nursing and setting an example in the nursing field." Chairman 林保雍 of the Cih Yue Charity Foundation said, "After thirteen sessions, we have seen many previous award winners return to their communities and hospitals to continue spreading love. The Cih Yue Charity Foundation will continue its efforts in the care field, hoping to reduce the average bedridden time for the elderly and allow seniors to live healthy lives."
Led by former NTU President 楊泮池, the judging panel conducted rigorous initial and re-examinations, selecting four outstanding nursing teams. The group gold award went to the "AIDS Prevention Team of the Kunming Prevention Center at Taipei City Hospital," which has dedicated more than 30 years of service to AIDS cases, reducing new infections by 10% and achieving a medication adherence rate of 97%, the highest in Taiwan. The group silver award was won by the "Special Infectious Disease Care Ward Nursing Team" at NTU Hospital, which provided precise and timely care during outbreaks of emerging infectious diseases and supported patients through their darkest times. The group bronze award went to "Heleju Home Nursing Institute" in Yuanshan Township, Yilan, which overcame long distances to serve remote cases, compensating for the inconvenience of medical treatment in rural areas, and contributing significantly to long-term care in the community. Additionally, the judges' special award was given to the "Nursing Department of Chi Mei Hospital," recognizing its creation of a quality nursing environment, commitment to staff training, sound salary systems, a nurse-to-patient ratio of less than 8:1 throughout the day, and emphasis on career development for nursing staff, embodying the "three goods" philosophy of "good for employees, good for patients, and good for the hospital" with a caring culture.
This year, the Special Contribution Award honored three nursing elites, all receiving gold awards. The first was 徐宛蒂, Deputy Director of Mackay Memorial Hospital, who led a medical team into the war zone in Ukraine, providing humanitarian medical support and spreading the love of nursing worldwide. Also honored were 呂香瑩, a nurse at NCKU Hospital specializing in diverse pediatric cancer care, easing the suffering of terminally ill children and their families, and 劉幸儀, Head Nurse at NTU Hospital Yunlin Branch, who coordinated organ donations in the Yunlin area, ensuring that great love remains in the world.
The individual Nightingale Award features a special "Lohas Care Angel Award" to commend nursing staff caring for the elderly in an aging society. This year, it was awarded to 高金盆, a supervisor at Chi Mei Medical Foundation's comprehensive long-term care institution, who has 32 years of nursing experience and has made significant contributions in the long-term care system, easing the burden on families and patients. The individual excellence contribution award was given to three nurses: 林小玲, a supervisory nurse at Taipei Veterans General Hospital specializing in evidence-based nursing, 龔淑櫻, Head Nurse at the ICU of NTU Hospital, and 楊惠美, a specialist nurse at Linkou Chang Gung Memorial Hospital dedicated to diabetic foot ulcer care.
Taiwan’s nursing staff have significantly highlighted the value of nursing, not only in patient care but also in managing resources, streamlining processes, and passing on experience in complex and critical situations, fully dedicating themselves to protecting public health with selfless spirit. On the eve of Nurses Day, the Nightingale Award Ceremony (5/4) was a resounding success, with Premier 陳建仁, Legislator 王育敏, and Chairman 林保雍 of the Cih Yue Charity Foundation in attendance. A total of 11 awards were presented, with winners sharing their inspiring stories and touching life experiences that moved many to tears. On this special day, we express our gratitude to all Nightingales across Taiwan, who devote themselves to society with the belief of helping others.
Winners List of the 13th Nightingale Award:
<Group Awards>
Gold Award: AIDS Prevention Team of Kunming Prevention Center at Taipei City Hospital
Silver Award: Special Infectious Disease Care Ward Nursing Team at NTU Hospital
Bronze Award: Heleju Home Nursing Institute Judges' Special Award: Nursing Department of Chi Mei Medical Foundation Chi Mei Hospital
<Special Contribution Award>
Gold Award: 徐宛蒂, Deputy Director, Mackay Memorial Hospital International Medical Center
Gold Award: 呂香瑩, Nurse, NCKU Hospital
Gold Award: 劉幸儀, Specialist Nurse, Head Nurse, NTU Hospital Yunlin Branch
<Lohas Care Angel Award>
Bronze Award: 高金盆, Supervisor and Business Manager, Chi Mei Medical Foundation’s Comprehensive Long-term Care Institution
<Excellence Contribution Award>
Silver Award: 林小玲, Supervisory Nurse, Taipei Veterans General Hospital
Bronze Award: 龔淑櫻, Head Nurse, ICU, NTU Hospital
Bronze Award: 楊惠美, Specialist Nurse, Linkou Chang Gung Memorial Hospital
13th Nightingale Award Ceremony - Winners Video Link https://reurl.cc/3XLGjO