Reenbow Media and IAF Unite to Honor National Nurses Week with Spectacular Celebrations

HI INDIA NEWS DESK

HEMPSTEAD, MS- In honor of National Nurses Month and National Nurses Week, Dr. Renee Mehrra of Reenbow Media and the Indian American Forum organized a webinar on May 25th. The program began at 8:00 PM on Zoom, with Dr. Mehrra emphasizing the importance of healthcare workers and their recognition for their services. Dr. Bhavani Srinivasan highlighted the crucial role nurses play in providing quality care worldwide.

During the event, Mrs. Indu Jaiswal, Chair of the Indian American Forum, and Dr. Urmilesh Arya, Co-Chair, presented the program. They were joined by notable guests, including Honorable Deputy Supervisor from Town of Hempstead, Ms. Dorothy Goosby, and Nassau County Legislature member, Rosemarie Walker. Both expressed gratitude towards nurses and healthcare employees for their valuable services.

Ms. Tara Shajan, RN, NAINA Treasurer, and Director of Nursing at Lincoln Hospital, spoke about the history of the nursing profession and paid tribute to Florence Nightingale. Anuradha Khanna commenced the program with a Ganesh Vandana.

During the webinar, five nurses were recognized and honored with citations from Nassau County Executive Bruce Blakeman and Nassau County Legislature member Rosemarie Walker. The honorees included Suda Sharma, who not only worked as a registered nurse but also founded three community projects to help those in need. Jaya Bahadkar, with over 25 years of nursing experience, was recognized for her contributions to the Indian American community and received the Woman of Distinction Award in 2019. Tara Shajan, an RN and pilot, showcased her leadership in healthcare services, while Suja Madhu, with over 40 years of nursing experience, was awarded the Nurse of the Year in 2023 for Northwell Health. Grace Alexander, a former lieutenant and midwife, demonstrated her dedication to nursing and community involvement.

The event was attended by several distinguished individuals who praised the efforts of nurses and their profession. Dr. Rajiv Jauhar, Chief of Cardiology at North Shore University Hospital, acknowledged the significance of nursing staff in patient care. Dr. Jagdish Gupta, a physician serving the Brooklyn community for 50 years and President of AIA-NY Chapter, expressed his belief that nurses are an integral part of the healthcare team. Gobind Munjal, National President of The Association of Indians in America (AIA), acknowledged National Nurses Day on May 6th and emphasized the importance of nurse appreciation.

The webinar received strong community support, with attendees including Mrs. Neelam Modi, MS Nalini DAS RD, Sandy Bhatia, Dr. Usha Bansal, Mr. Amba Sharma, Dr. Sollymol Kuruvilla RN PHD, Dr. Shyla Roshin RN DNP, Mr. Paul Panakal RN MSN, Dr. Esther Devadas RN DNP, and others. The successful event was made possible through the cooperation of Mrs. Flora Parekh, Mrs. Beena Kothari, Anju Sharma, Sanju Sharma, Dr. Renee Mehrra, Dr. Bhavani Srinivasan, and Dr. Urmilesh Arya. Further details can be found on the website www.indianamericanforum.org.