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Honoring those who make a difference: Devereux salutes nurses, teachers during May observances

At Devereux Advanced Behavioral Health, we are celebrating our more than 250 nurses and 200 teachers who inspire and influence their colleagues, as well as the children, adolescents and adults they serve.

We recognize these innovative, compassionate and dedicated individuals during the following annual observances – and year-round:

• Nurses:
• National Nurses Week: May 6-12
• National Nurses Day: May 6
• Teachers:
• National Teacher Appreciation Week: May 2-6
• National Teacher Day: May 3

“Our nurses and teachers are nothing short of extraordinary,” said Devereux President and CEO Carl E. Clark II. “Whether they are providing comfort to those in their care, or working to ensure their students have the tools they need to learn and grow, these positive and passionate servant leaders pour themselves into everything they do. My two youngest daughters are intensive care unit nurses, and I know how challenging – and rewarding – the job can be. We are grateful to all of our nurses and teachers for their expertise and commitment to excellence, and recognize the unique and lasting contributions they make in the lives of those they serve.”

Delivering compassionate care

Each year, National Nurses Week begins on May 6 and ends on May 12, which is the birthday of Florence Nightingale, the founder of modern nursing.

Since 2020, the American Nurses Association has held a monthlong celebration in May to “promote understanding and appreciation of the invaluable contributions of nurses.”

Every day, Devereux’s nurses strive to make a meaningful difference in the lives of those they serve. We asked a few of them to tell us what they love most about their jobs.

“What I love about Devereux is that I get a lot of interaction with the kids. They are always so appreciative of what you do for them. I can’t think of any other place that gives you the opportunity to impact a young life the way Devereux does. I have also learned a great deal from the kids, and am inspired by their strength and resilience.”
– Devereux Florida Nurse Manager Valorie Buddington

“I have been part of the Devereux family for more than seven years. It is an honor to work with individuals as I develop my nursing skills. Acceptance, support and education are essential in caring for others. The rewards are endless. Opportunities for growth and development are plentiful when helping all succeed in reaching their goals and full potential.”
– Devereux Texas Nurse Sandra Field

“I love being a nurse. It is a very rewarding career as you get to make a difference in the lives of others. We strive to help the individuals we serve unlock and reach their full potential. Nursing is a profession where you never stop giving, and opportunities for growth are unlimited. I take pride in my nursing career and feel extremely lucky to be part of such an amazing team and organization.”
– Devereux New Jersey Nurse Elizabeth Obongo

Making a lasting impact

In recognition of National Teacher Appreciation Week, the National Parent Teacher Association is encouraging supporters to express their gratitude – using the Twitter hashtag #ThankATeacher – for everything these educators do to keep students engaged and learning.

At Devereux, our teachers are committed to helping students reach their full potential. Look below to see what some of our team members say is the most rewarding part of their jobs.

“What I like most about being a special education teacher is having the ability to directly support youth and empower each student to reach a higher potential than they once thought possible. I am passionate about the individualized and therapeutic approaches I take in the work I do with my students, and am thankful that I have been given the opportunity to do so.”
– Devereux Arizona Special Education Teacher Lauren Kehoe

“I really enjoy the day-to-day interactions with our students, and being able to build those positive relationships where I can be a role model in their lives. I learn so much from them all of the time. My favorite part of my job is seeing students show a real sense of pride in their own growth and what they have accomplished, and carry themselves with confidence.”
– Devereux Colorado Special Education Teacher Kristi Ouimet

“I love being able to make a difference in our students’ lives. It’s amazing to watch them learn new skills and transform. Nothing is more rewarding than helping them develop the skills needed to be the best versions of themselves. Even on challenging days, we help them navigate those tough times, and they are able to help us look at situations from a different perspective.”
– Devereux New York Special Education Teacher Katie Tipa

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