Independence Health System Celebrates National Hospital Week

Butler, PA, May. 9, 2025 – Independence Health System will participate in the annual celebration of National Hospital Week, observed from May 11-17. The week honors the dedication and contributions of hospitals, health systems and healthcare workers across the United States. The American Hospital Association, which represents 5,000 hospitals and health systems, will celebrate the week with the theme #WeAreHealthCare, recognizing the vital role of hospitals and healthcare workers in caring for patients and strengthening communities.

National Hospital Week highlights the essential role hospitals serve as the cornerstone of their communities, offering hope and healing during life’s most challenging moments. Since its establishment in 1921, the observance has evolved from a single day to a full week of celebration in 1953. It aligns with the birthday of Florence Nightingale and honors her enduring legacy in modern nursing and hospital care. Additionally, during National Nurses’ Week, which occurred May 6-12, Independence Health System celebrated nurses with a variety of activities, including thank-you videos from the chief nursing officers, ads in the local papers, a walk, blessing of the hands, and more.

To commemorate National Hospital Week, Independence Health System will light the entrances of all its member hospitals - Butler Memorial, Clarion, Frick, Latrobe, and Westmoreland – in blue, as a symbol of appreciation and support for hospitals and healthcare workers. The Westmoreland County Courthouse will also illuminate its entrance in blue and the Butler County Courthouse will display a banner as a show of solidarity and gratitude.

“National Hospital Week is a time to shine a light on and reflect on the remarkable contributions of healthcare workers,” said President & CEO, Ken DeFurio. “We celebrate not only their skills but also their compassion, resilience, and dedication to providing expert care, here, in our communities. It truly takes a special person to work in healthcare. We are proud of our staff’s unwavering commitment to excellence and are deeply grateful for the trust that our communities place in us.”

Independence Health System invites the community to join in honoring healthcare heroes who provide expert care here. Learn more about Independence Health System by visiting www.independence.health. 

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Nationally recognized for quality care, Independence Health System comprises Butler Memorial, Clarion, Frick, Latrobe, and Westmoreland Hospitals with a combined bed count of 925. With more than 1,000 physicians and advanced practice providers and 7,300 employees, the System is the third largest in western Pennsylvania serving a population base of 750,000 in a footprint spanning more than 10 counties. 

The System includes tertiary programs rated among America’s best for cardiac care and surgery, earning accolades from a number of prestigious outlets and organizations. Locally owned and locally controlled, Independence Health System offers its patients low-cost, high-quality care across the care spectrum in such specialties as cardiology, cardiovascular and thoracic surgery, orthopedics and sports medicine, minimally invasive and robotic surgery, women’s health and obstetrics, emergency medicine, behavioral health, and primary care. Its network of outpatient centers sees more than 1.2 million visits annually. The homecare division further supports patients at all stages of life with home health and hospice services. Learn more at www.independence.health