Florence Nightingale (1820 - 1910) was a British nurse who is considered the founder of modern nursing. She was affectionately called "The Lady with a Lamp" referring to how she carried an oil lamp during hospital night rounds.[1][2]
In 1854, Nightingale and approximately 38 other female nurses were dispatched to the main British military camp on the Black Sea during the Crimean War in order to nurse wounded and sick soldiers. They concentrated on providing clean quarters and linens, healthy food, improved air circulation and waste disposal, as well as increasing medical supplies. Death rates in the military camps dropped sharply and people of Britain embraced her as a hero. She was awarded the Royal Red Cross in 1883. In 1907, she was the first woman to receive the Order of Merit, Britain's highest civilian decoration.[3]
While stationed in Crimea, Nightingale developed "Crimean fever" (a bacteria infection now known as brucellosis) and never recovered.[4] She remained mostly bedbound the rest of her life. Although myalgic encephalomyelitis (ME) and chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) were not defined in her lifetime, many current physicians and medical historians believe she developed ME/CFS as a result of a chronic brucellosis infection.
"In 1854, from the age thirty-five to sixty-years, Florence Nightingale was reported as suffering from chest pains, headaches, rapid muscle fatigue, persistent upper back pain, and being unable to concentrate if more than one person was present."[5]Despite being bed-bound, Nightingale continued until her death to work on advancing the nursing profession and lobbying for regulatory changes to hospitals. She met with government officials in her home and wrote thousands of letters to promote nursing reform.[6] Nursing pins designed with lamps are common throughout the world in order to honor Nightingale and her advancement of the profession of nursing.[7] The pledge that nurses take upon graduation is called the "Nightingale Pledge" which is analogous to the physician's Hippocratic Oath.[8]
Some ME/CFS organizations use Nightingale's name to commemorate her struggle with chronic illness. In 1988, Dr. Byron Hyde named his Canadian ME and CFS foundation, Nightingale Research Foundation:
"Disability does not mean the end to a useful life - we called our foundation Nightingale since many sufferers of M.E. and CFS typify the courage and dedication of Florence Nightingale and continue to live their lives under enormous disabilities."[9]
Nightingale's birthday, May 12th, was chosen as International Awareness Day for Chronic Immunological and Neurological Diseases.
In 1854, Nightingale and approximately 38 other female nurses were dispatched to the main British military camp on the Black Sea during the Crimean War in order to nurse wounded and sick soldiers. They concentrated on providing clean quarters and linens, healthy food, improved air circulation and waste disposal, as well as increasing medical supplies. Death rates in the military camps dropped sharply and people of Britain embraced her as a hero. She was awarded the Royal Red Cross in 1883. In 1907, she was the first woman to receive the Order of Merit, Britain's highest civilian decoration.[3]
While stationed in Crimea, Nightingale developed "Crimean fever" (a bacteria infection now known as brucellosis) and never recovered.[4] She remained mostly bedbound the rest of her life. Although myalgic encephalomyelitis (ME) and chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) were not defined in her lifetime, many current physicians and medical historians believe she developed ME/CFS as a result of a chronic brucellosis infection.
"In 1854, from the age thirty-five to sixty-years, Florence Nightingale was reported as suffering from chest pains, headaches, rapid muscle fatigue, persistent upper back pain, and being unable to concentrate if more than one person was present."[5]Despite being bed-bound, Nightingale continued until her death to work on advancing the nursing profession and lobbying for regulatory changes to hospitals. She met with government officials in her home and wrote thousands of letters to promote nursing reform.[6] Nursing pins designed with lamps are common throughout the world in order to honor Nightingale and her advancement of the profession of nursing.[7] The pledge that nurses take upon graduation is called the "Nightingale Pledge" which is analogous to the physician's Hippocratic Oath.[8]
Some ME/CFS organizations use Nightingale's name to commemorate her struggle with chronic illness. In 1988, Dr. Byron Hyde named his Canadian ME and CFS foundation, Nightingale Research Foundation:
"Disability does not mean the end to a useful life - we called our foundation Nightingale since many sufferers of M.E. and CFS typify the courage and dedication of Florence Nightingale and continue to live their lives under enormous disabilities."[9]
Nightingale's birthday, May 12th, was chosen as International Awareness Day for Chronic Immunological and Neurological Diseases.
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Florence Nightingale Award
The following individuals and/or groups have been recognized by the M.E. Society of Edmonton with the Florence Nightingale Award. We are forever grateful for their contribution in the fields of education, awareness, research or volunteerism regarding Myalgic Encephalomyelitis.
2021 Kathleen Londry
2020 Kristine Miles
2019 Anita Gonzales
2018 John Wodak
2017 Judy-Anne Wilson
2016 Diane Ching
2015 Lynn Read
2014 Chuck Smit
2013 Dolores Wiart
2012 Lydia Neilson and Margaret Parlor
2011 Dr. Lorne Tyrrell
2010 Gordon Broderick PhD
2009 Wendy Coker
2008 Sandy Thompson
2007 Dr. Eleanor Stein
2006 Cliff Moore & Linda Moore
2005 Hank Arnoldussen
2004 Dr. Bruce Carruthers
2003 Joyce Primeau
2002 Barbara Skaley
2001 Wendy Koenig
2000 Jim Bodie, AB Blue Cross; Blue Cross Employees Charitable
1999 John Wodak PhD; Carol Heard; U of A Faculty of Medicine Curriculum Review Committee; Eunice Muise;
Dolorès Wiart; Ina Panek; Dawn Thompson
1998 Hank Arnoldussen & The Independent Order of Foresters, Court Gateway 191
1997 Dr. Don Schopflocher
1996 Dr. Pierre Flor-Henry; Dr. Beverly Tompkins; Dr. Duncan Campbell
