NJPCA Health Centers Celebrate National Nurses Week 2026

NJPCA Health Centers throughout New Jersey celebrated National Nurses Week from May 6-12, 2026, with numerous tokens of thanks for nursing staff, including staff recognitions, special treats, activities, and gifts. We are so thankful for our nurses’ hard work, compassion, and dedication. Without a doubt, they are an essential part of our Health Center teams!

Here are some highlights from our health centers:

At the Center for Health Education, Medicine and Dentistry (CHEMED), staff enjoyed special treats, refreshments, themed appreciation activities, gift cards, and fun prize giveaways. Above are pictures of the Women’s Health clinical team (top center), Fast Track clinical team members (bottom left), and Pediatrics clinical team members (bottom right).

The nurses at Henry J. Austin Health Center were celebrated with a luncheon on May 12, the birthday of Florence Nightingale, the founder of modern nursing. Each nurse on staff received a gift of appreciation for their hard work and dedication.

CompleteCare Health Network recognized Patricia Torres for her 11 years of service. A resident of Cape May County, Patricia takes great pride in caring for the members of her own community. Her resilience, compassion, and dedication embody the mission of CompleteCare, and she continues to inspire others with her courage and compassion.

The Jewish Renaissance Foundation proudly celebrated the heartbeat of their health center with appreciation certificates and personalized mugs for nursing staff filled with sweet treats. Pictured above are Liliana Rodriguez, Laurise Farrar, Mary Cruz, Luz Rosa, and Lynne Morgan.

Metropolitan Family Health Network hosted a special luncheon to celebrate and thank its nursing staff for their outstanding service and commitment to the community. It was an afternoon of appreciation, reflection and camaraderie, where leadership recognized the nursing team for their compassion, professionalism, and teamwork. Pictured above are Angelina Musau, LPN, Starlette Pace, RN and Jeanette Benitez, RN (top left); Tanisha Malden, LPN (top right); Soely Vasquez, RN, and Maryuri Calle, LPN (bottom left); Sharon Richardson, LPN, and Mandisa Hicks, LPN (bottom right).

Neighborhood Health Services Corporation kicked off Nurses Week with a breakfast celebration, then ended the week with a celebratory luncheon. Nursing staff received a certificate of appreciation with an AI picture, as well as a coffee mug that read, “Nursing is a Work of Heart!” Pictured above our the nursing staff enjoying the events throughout the week.

During Nurses Week, Southern Jersey Family Medical Centers, Inc. (SJFMC) honored Eden Atty, LPN (above, left) who began her career as a patient service representative, and later advanced into a front office manager role, where she was able to gain a deeper understanding of patient care and operations. With support from SJFMC, she completed her nursing degree and now works as the charge nurse at SJFMC’s Hammonton Center.

SJFMC also honored Keisha Pannell, RN, who joined the center five years ago as a part-time nurse. She was quickly promoted to charge nurse at the English Creek Center, where her leadership has helped inspire staff and significantly reduce patient wait times at one of the center’s busiest locations.

Mary Eliza Mahoney Health Center proudly recognized the dedication and contributions of nursing staff with a luncheon to honor the commitment, compassion, and hard work our nurses demonstrate daily in serving the Newark community. The staff had several opportunities to express gratitude for the vital role nurses play in delivering high-quality patient care. Pictured above are some of the nursing staff who were honored during the celebrations.

The Visiting Nurse Association of Central Jersey Community Health Center’s (VNACJ) Keyport Primary Care Center honored Eric Tan, APN, for going the extra mile to serve the needs of the diverse community at the center. One elderly patient frequently missed appointments and struggled to follow his treatment plan, but Eric worked closely with him to create realistic goals that would help him regain his confidence. This patient told Eric how much he appreciated that the clinic never gave up on him even when he gave up on himself.

Zufall Health honored Reina Garcia Perfecto during Nurses Week. Reina’s journey started when she joined Zufall Health as a patient representative, then went on to become an outreach worker and graduated from nursing school in December 2025. When asked why she chose to work in an FQHC right out of school she replied, “I truly believe that community health is where I need to be!” Zufall feels so lucky and thankful to have Reina on the team!

NJPCA Health Centers Celebrate National Nurses Week 2026