RESOLUTION NO. RS2011-72

A resolution recognizing the celebration of 100 years of Public Health Nursing in Nashville and Davidson County, Tennessee.

WHEREAS, public health nursing is a unique nursing specialty; and

WHEREAS, public health nursing is described as the practice of promoting and protecting the health of populations, using knowledge from nursing, social, and public health science; and

WHEREAS, public health nursing is an interdisciplinary practice built upon the belief that health arises from a familial, communal, and societal context in which health and health outcomes are influenced by income, education, employment, environment and access to resources; and

WHEREAS, in 1893, Miss Lillian Wald founded the Henry Street Settlement and the Henry Street Visiting Nurse Service in New York City, providing nursing and other aid to poor and immigrant populations: thus was the beginning public health nursing in the United States of America; and

WHEREAS, in 1911, the City of Nashville hired Mrs. W.F. Acree, to provide nursing and other aid to childbearing women and their families, addressing an infant mortality rate of 300 per 1,000 live births: thus was the beginning of public health nursing in Nashville and Davidson County, Tennessee; and

WHEREAS, in 1914, the City of Nashville hired its first African American public health nurse to provide nursing and other aid to families of color suffering from disparate rates of tuberculosis disease: thus was the beginning of public health nursing services aimed towards the reduction of health disparities and inequities in Nashville and Davidson County, Tennessee; and

WHEREAS, for a century the public health nurses of Nashville and Davidson County, Tennessee have provided public health nursing services to populations within, and throughout the county; and

WHEREAS, these services have promoted, protected, and restored the health of generations; and

WHEREAS, public health nurses have led, and participated in, public health efforts to address health issues ranging from smallpox to tuberculosis to shigellosis, from venereal disease to syphilis to HIV/AIDs; from the 1940 influenza pandemic to swine flu to the H1N1 pandemic; from infant mortality to child neglect to childhood injuries, from cancer to tobacco use, from diabetes and heart disease to overweight and obesity to healthy eating and active living; and

WHEREAS, the practice of public health nursing evolves to meet the changing needs of the community it serves, striving to create healthier places, healthier policies, and healthier people; and

WHEREAS, it is fitting and proper that the Metropolitan Council does hereby recognize, honor, and celebrate 100 years of public health nursing in Nashville and Davidson County, Tennessee and encourage the citizens of this city to celebrate the nursing profession’s vital contributions and efforts toward the improvement of our health care system.

NOW THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE METROPOLITAN GOVERNMENT OF NASHVILLE AND DAVIDSON COUNTY:

Section 1. The Metropolitan Council hereby goes on record as recognizing the celebration of 100 years of Public Health Nursing in Nashville and Davidson County, Tennessee.

Section 2. The Metropolitan Council Office is directed to prepare a copy of this Resolution to be presented to Thomas Sharp.

Section 3. This Resolution shall take effect from and after its adoption, the welfare of The Metropolitan Government of Nashville and Davidson County requiring it.

Sponsored by: Sheri Weiner

LEGISLATIVE HISTORY
Referred to:	Rules & Confirmations Committee
Introduced:	November 1, 2011
Adopted:	November 1, 2011
Approved:	November 2, 2011
By: