Nurses from Inova Alexandria Hospital pitch in for local events

Community-Minded

Although the nurses at Inova Alexandria Hospital (IAH) are dedicated to treating patients and assisting caregivers, their care extends beyond the hospital’s campus.

You might see them organizing a food drive so that a local shelter can keep its pantry stocked, or hosting educational events at a senior center to emphasize the importance of hydration, fall prevention and vaccinations. Many of the nurses also do the annual Heart Walk to raise awareness and funds for the American Heart Association.

Inova nurses take on a range of community efforts, from school supply fundraisers to supporting an organization that provides free mammograms. The initiatives are always health-related, according to Buffie Deliman, RN, an emergency room nurse at IAH. “Although it sounds funny, we would love to keep people out of the hospital,” she says. “That’s why we’re so invested in prevention strategies that keep people healthy.”

While some nurses volunteer in other countries, most of their volunteer efforts are close to home, and that gives nurses a chance to interact with more members of the community, Deliman says.

“We want patients to know us,” she notes. “We have so many nurses here who participate in all these efforts, from donating and fundraising to walking and even giving blood. It’s all part of showing that we care.”

Learn more about nursing at Inova