VHHA Celebrates National Nurses Week, National Hospital Week With Free Healthcare Appreciation Events Around Virginia

VHHA Celebrates National Nurses Week, National Hospital Week With a Series of Free Healthcare Appreciation Events Hosted in Communities Around Virginia

May 11, 2026

A New Short Film - 'Healing and Hope: Hospitals' Legacy of Service in Virginia' - Highlighting Patient, Provider Stories and Healthcare History is Being Premiered in Communities Around the Commonwealth from May 11-18, 2026

RICHMOND, VA - As the nation celebrates National Nurses Week (May 6-12, 2026) and National Hospital Week (May 10-16, 2026), the Virginia Hospital & Healthcare Association (VHHA) is hosting a series of free events around the Commonwealth to show appreciation for healthcare professionals and the work they do each day to serve patients, families, and communities.

From May 11-18, VHHA is hosting screenings of a short film produced in honor of healthcare professionals. The documentary -Healing and Hope: Hospitals' Legacy of Service in Virginia - highlights hospital stories of compassionate patient care, community involvement and investment, and contributions to public health and the economy in the context of hospital history in the Commonwealth and a century of service by VHHA.

"National Nurses Week and National Hospital Week present an opportunity to reflect on the important role of healthcare in supporting public health and strengthening the economy," said Virginia Hospital & Healthcare Association (VHHA) President and CEO Sean T. Connaughton. "As VHHA approached its 100^th anniversary in 2026, our team spent months in communities around Virginia filming and producing this documentary project to chronicle a few of the many inspiring stories of hope and healing that occur each day in hospitals. This film captures the enduring mission and service work of Virginia hospitals and healthcare providers as well as their long history as trusted community partners in support of delivering high-quality care and responding to emerging health needs."

Documentary screenings are being held at theaters in six regions around Virginia. At each showing, doors open at 5:30 p.m. and the screening begins at 6:30 p.m. All events are free and refreshments are complimentary. People are encouraged to use the links below to RSVP to attend a local screening event. The documentary trailer can be viewed here. The full short film will be posted on VHHA's website and YouTube channel later this month after the free premiere screenings have occurred. The documentary screening playbill can be viewed here. Free screenings are being held at the following locations:

• Monday, May 11: The Millwald Theatre (Wytheville - Southwest Virginia). RSVP here:
  https://app.smartsheet.com/b/form/019d4efcb624718491872efc3b78063c
• Tuesday, May 12: The Cultural Arts Center at Glen Allen (Central Virginia). RSVP here:
  https://app.smartsheet.com/b/form/019d4f011b1b7ac59f8394546eb707ac
• Wednesday, May 13: The Alamo Drafthouse Woodbridge (Northern Virginia). RSVP here:
  https://app.smartsheet.com/b/form/019d4f03ccbd7b759067b3e4a0611989
• Thursday, May 14: Woodstock Community Theatre (Shenandoah Valley). RSVP here:
  https://app.smartsheet.com/b/form/019d4eea7c34779d90e0986ed7dac246
• Friday, May 15: The American Theatre in Hampton (Hampton Roads). RSVP here:
  https://app.smartsheet.com/b/form/019d4f0748ad78aa96c3735591451556
• Monday, May 18: The Grandin Theatre in Roanoke. RSVP here:
  https://app.smartsheet.com/b/form/019d4f0a73ed7aec963e8f27f47c7a56

National Hospital Week dates to 1921 and is celebrated each year in May to coincide with the birthday of famed nurse Florence Nightingale. In Virginia, the General Assembly formalized state recognition of Hospital Week in 2015 when then-state Senator John Watkins (R-Powhatan County) sponsored legislation designating the second week of May that year and each subsequent year as "Virginia Hospital Week."

National Nurses Week is celebrated May 6-12, 2026. Its history dates to the 1950s, according to the American Nurses Association (ANA), which notes that National Nurse Week was observed Oct. 11-16 in 1954. In 1974, then-U.S. President Richard Nixon issued a proclamation and designated a week in February as National Nurses Week. Former U.S. President Ronald Reagan signed a proclamation in 1982 establishing May 6 as "National Recognition Day for Nurses." In the 1990s, the ANA Board of Directors designated May 6-12 as National Nurses Week. The celebration of Nurses Week is also linked to the May 12 birthday of Florence Nightingale, who is viewed as the founder of modern nursing.

Virginia Governor Abigail Spanberger has plans to issue a formal proclamation honoring Hospital Week 2026. This year, the Virginia General Assembly issued a resolution commending VHHA on its 100^th anniversary (1926-2026) and Congresswoman Jennifer McClellan of Virginia secured a formal congressional record proclamation recognizing the Association. In 2026, VHHA is celebrating its centennial anniversary and 100 years of service to the Commonwealth in support of hospitals, patients, public safety, and the continuing work to make Virginia the healthiest state in the nation.

Each day, Virginia hospitals provide care and essential services to patients and families while also serving as major employers and economic contributors. The latest data shows that in 2024 Virginia hospitals contributed $4.5 billion in community support, generated $68.8 billion in positive state economic activity, provided more than 138,000 direct jobs with more than $13 billion in payroll and benefits, accommodated more than 4.45 million patient days, handled nearly 92 percent of all voluntary and involuntary behavioral health inpatient admissions, and delivered more than 87,000 babies. Virginia hospitals are also leaders in patient safety; the most recent Spring 2026 Hospital Safety Grades from the Leapfrog Group ranked the Commonwealth second overall among states for top hospital patient safety performance.

About VHHA: The Virginia Hospital & Healthcare Associationis an alliance of 117 hospitals and 26 health delivery systems that develops and advocates for sound health care policy in the Commonwealth. Its mission is to achieve excellence in both health care and health. Its vision is through the power of collaboration to be recognized as a driving force behind making Virginia the healthiest state in the nation. Connect with VHHA through Facebook, X (Twitter), YouTube, LinkedIn, Instagram, and TikTok.

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact:
Julian Walker
Vice President of Communications
(804) 297-3193 office
(804) 304-7402 mobile
[email protected]