Medical Center celebrates hospital week in Bowling Green

BOWLING GREEN, Ky. — Healthcare workers at The Medical Center at Bowling Green were recognized Wednesday as part of National Hospital Week, with staff gathering for a street fair focused on appreciation, food and community.

The Hospital Week Street Fair brought together employees from across the hospital for a celebration featuring food trucks, treats and activities designed to thank workers for the care they provide year-round.

Hospital Week is recognized nationally as a time to honor hospitals, nurses, doctors and healthcare staff for the work they do serving patients and communities.

Jake Hook, marketing specialist with Med Center Health, said the week is centered around recognizing people who often work in difficult and high-pressure environments.

“Hospital Week is the nation’s largest celebration of hospitals, hospital workers, and basically all the people that help keep healthcare going in our nation,” Hook said.

Hook said healthcare workers often face some of the toughest situations, making appreciation especially important.

“These people have some of the toughest jobs. They go through some of the toughest circumstances,” he said. “If us as Med Center Health can do anything to make them feel a little bit more appreciated, like giving them a free meal, we’re going to do that.”

In addition to Wednesday’s street fair, hospital employees were offered free meals from more than 10 food trucks throughout the week, along with coffee, donuts and ice cream. The hospital also recognized standout nurses and leaders during nursing awards earlier this week.

For advanced heart care registered nurse Sammi Rainey, Hospital Week serves as a reminder that the hard work of healthcare employees does not go unnoticed.

“To me, it’s just our company, our organization, showing appreciation for all the hard work that the staff does throughout the hospital,” Rainey said.

Rainey, who works in advanced heart care, said helping patients recover and return home is one of the most rewarding parts of her job.

“My coworkers and us getting people back to baseline so that they’re able to continue their lives at home,” she said, describing what she enjoys most about working at the hospital.

She said appreciation — even in small ways — can make a meaningful difference for healthcare workers.

“We work very hard. We have long hours. It’s always a high-stress environment,” Rainey said. “The smallest amount of appreciation being shown makes us happy.”

Rainey said support from coworkers also helps her stay motivated during long shifts.

“Having a good team that I work with — it doesn’t matter if they’re a nurse, therapy, anybody — they make it a lot easier for me,” she said.

Hook said while Hospital Week lasts only a few days, he hopes the community continues showing gratitude to healthcare workers throughout the year.

“If you see a nurse at the hospital, or if they’re taking care of you or your grandfather, be extra nice to them,” Hook said. “They’re doing one of the toughest jobs that they can.”