May 6th through May 12th is National Nurses Week!

Celebrate National Mobility Awareness Month

May 6^th Through May 12^th is National Nurses Week!

By Melissa A. DiSipio, MSA, FAAIDD, Director of PCHC

Every year we celebrate National Nurses Week from May 6^th through May 12^th. The American Nurses Association (ANA) has chosen the theme "The Power of Nurses" for National Nurses Week 2025. This theme emphasizes the incredible influence nurses have on healthcare systems and the positive impact they make on the lives of individuals in their communities. The International Council of Nurses (ICN) has announced "Caring for nurses strengthens economies" as the theme for International Nurses Day 2025.

Nurses are not only the heart and soul but also the face of healthcare, embodying excellence in their practice. Their knowledge and dedication make a lasting impression on the lives of individuals with intellectual/developmental disabilities and Autism, their caretakers and families. During Nurses Week, let's celebrate the outstanding contributions of nurses everywhere!

Philadelphia Coordinated Health Care (PCHC) would like to take this time to thank all of the hardworking nurses who support individuals with an intellectual/developmental disability (I/DD) and/or autism spectrum disorder (ASD) for their hard work, dedication and professionalism.

How can we help nurses who work in our field celebrate their special month?

See more information at the links below:

Say a huge thank you to them for all that they do!
Make the time to get to know your nurse(s) better at your agency.
Check out the Developmental Disabilities Nurses Network’s (DDNA’s) website at the link below. This is a national organization that offers a wealth of educational resources to member nurses working in the field.
Remember to join the Pennsylvania Developmental Disabilities Nurses Network (PADDNN). Meetings are held virtually throughout the year; the next virtual meeting will be held on June 11^that 9am. PADDNN is presently looking to fill the “secretary position”. If you, or a nurse you know is interested, please contact Sharon Falzone: sf@theadvocacyalliance.org
The PADDNN Annual Education Conference will be held at the Eden Resort & Suites, 222 Eden Road, Lancaster, PA. This year, the in-person conference will be held on Wednesday, October 1, 2025 from 7:30am ET to 3:30pm ET. Speaker TBA, they welcome any suggestions or topics!
These meetings provide a wonderful opportunity to network with nursing colleagues in our field, and to enjoy a wide variety of educational presentations led by speakers who have expertise in the ID field.

PCHC is a core program of PMHCC

Funding provided by the Philadelphia Department of Behavioral Health/Intellectual disAbility Services, the Bucks, Chester, Delaware and Montgomery County Offices of Intellectual/Developmental Disabilities and the Office of Developmental Programs, Pennsylvania Department of Human Services.