Celebrating National Nurses Day 2026: Honoring the Art, History, and Heart of Nursing

On May 6, 2026, more than 50 attendees gathered at the International Museum of Surgical Science (IMSS) for a special National Nurses Day celebration. The event was proudly hosted by the Academy of Medical-Surgical Nurses (AMSN) Chicago Chapter #317 and Hektoen Nurses and the Humanities. The evening brought together nurses, healthcare professionals, and community members for a meaningful celebration of nursing history, connection, and service. Guests enjoyed food and drinks, networking with fellow nurses, exploring the museum exhibits, and participating in a fun scavenger hunt throughout the museum.

AMSN Chapter #317 committee members with Nurses Day celebration attendees.

The program opened with welcoming remarks from Michelle Rinard, director of museum operations, and Tacora Love, MSN, RN, CMSRN, CCM, CnEck, AHI. They warmly welcomed attendees and emphasized the importance of honoring nurses — not only for their clinical expertise but also for their compassion, resilience, and humanity.

Tacora Love (at the podium) and Michelle Rinard (behind) for Welcoming Remarks.

A highlight of the evening was the Blessing of the Hands Ceremony led by Rev. Michael L. Pfleger, who has served as pastor of St. Sabina Catholic Church since 1981. The ceremony invited not only nurses but all attendees to participate in the blessing. The experience created a moving sense of unity and gratitude, reminding everyone of the healing power carried through human touch and service.

Rev. Michael L. Pfleger blessing the hands of Cora Palmer, MSN, FAMSN, CMSRN, AMSN Chicago Chapter #317 founding president and board member of Hektoen Nurses & the Humanities.

Next, guests attended the soft opening of “The Lost Art of Nursing” exhibit presented by curator Melodie Chenevert, RN, NM, MA. The exhibit features historical nursing memorabilia, artwork, and artifacts, including Red Cross uniforms from the 1940s and World War II era. Chenevert began collecting nursing history items decades ago and eventually opened a small nursing museum in Oregon before donating the collection to the IMSS in 2023.

Melodie Chenevert, RN, NM, MA, founder of Pro-Nurse and curator of The Lost Art of Nursing.

The evening concluded with the keynote presentation, “The Power of Nursing: Our History, Shaping the Present and the Future,” by Linda H. Yoder, PhD, MBA, RN, AOCN, FAAN, FAMSN. Dr. Yoder is a professor emerita at The University of Texas at Austin School of Nursing and was an Army Nurse Corps officer for 28 years, retiring at the rank of colonel. In her talk, she shared an inspiring overview of influential nursing leaders, from Florence Nightingale to Virginia Henderson, while encouraging nurses to continue shaping the future of healthcare through leadership and advocacy.

Dr. Linda Yoder, our keynote speaker, sharing personal pictures from her nursing journey.

Special thanks to the IMSS staff, Jacinta Warnie for the delicious spread, harpist Janelle Lake for the beautiful music, and Shema Latiker for the relaxing hand massages.

Jacinta Warnie (above), Janelle Lake (right), and Shema Latiker (left).

Thank you to everyone who joined us in celebrating! Thanks to Melodie's generous donation, nurses were able to visit IMSS free of charge throughout the entire month of May. We hope this event introduced even more nurses to the healing power of self-care, and it's truly wonderful to know that Chicago now has a place to experience “The Lost Art of Nursing.”