In honor of Nurses Appreciation Week and National Nurses Day on Tuesday, May 12, shipbuilders gathered for a special luncheon to honor the medical team at Ingalls who care for our workforce every day.
At Ingalls and HII’s QuadMed Family Health Center, our nurses bring dedication to every shipbuilder who walks through their doors.
From first-line triage to ongoing care, they meet each case with professionalism, empathy and an understanding of the unique work happening across the yard.
Registered nurse Sophronia Wilson has more than 24 years' experience, which includes time spent in an emergency room. For the past 15 years, she has been at Ingalls, listening to the stories of shipbuilders and learning the details of their craft.
It's given her a deep respect for the commitment she sees every day.
“I see people out in the yard who may not move as fast as others, but they’re dedicated to being here and they still do good work,” said Sophronia. “They love what they do, and we want to do everything possible so they can keep doing it.”
In addition to Sophronia, the medical team at Ingalls includes five RNs and two LPNs, as well as a physician, nurse practitioner, audiologist, administrative support, contract services for radiology and counseling support through HII’s HERO program. Together, they work in sync to ensure the highest quality of care and keep the shipyard hospital running efficiently.
“The nurses we have on staff today have a combined total of 180 years' experience between them,” said Danny Coleman, manager, Medical Services.
“From the onboarding process onward, our medical team works with every shipbuilder out here.”
Just as shipbuilders prioritize safe work practices on the job, the medical team approaches each patient with the same mindset: protect, assess and prevent further harm.
“Our medical team handles multiple processes to ensure the safety and health of our workforce. We also work closely with Safety to help manage risks and track trends,” Danny continued. “This is a highly skilled team and I’m extremely proud of what they accomplish every day.”
It’s a responsibility Sophronia feels deeply.
“Our shipbuilders are really good about explaining what they were doing and why they need to be seen,” she said. “There’s always something different going on in a shop or on a boat. It gives you a whole new respect for their work.”
To Our Nurses: Thank you for your compassion, care and commitment to keeping shipbuilders safe and healthy. We appreciate you today and every day.