Monday marked the beginning of National Hospital Week and in order to show their appreciation for their employees, the executives at the Bryan W. Whitfield Memorial Hospital are having a special celebration every day this week.

The theme for the week-long celebration is “Where miracle’s happen every day,” and to show love for the healthcare sensations, BWWMH has a big week planned.

“It’s essential that we recognize them because everybody here is important,” BWWMH director of public relations Chrissy Brooker said about the hospital’s more than 400 employees. “Everyone plays a big role in making those miracles happen.”

Although it may seem like more work for employees, the week kicked off with a day of free health screenings from 9 a.m.-3 p.m.

“We check(ed) blood pressure and blood sugar, and a few other things,” Brooker said. “We really want(ed) the public to take advantage of this.”

“It should be fun and exciting. This is a chance to recognize out employees for what they do every day,” BWWMH CEO/administrator Mike Marshall said. “Not that we don’t do it already, but this time we are trying to get the community more involved.”

Tuesday, hospital staff attended an exclusive Service Award Tea where those celebrating an anniversary were recognized for the years they’ve dedicated to the industry.

At the ceremony, executives honored one 40-year anniversary, two 35-year employees, two 30-year celebrations and 43 others for more than five years of service.

“We also invite(d) our employees who have worked here for more than 25 years but aren’t celebrating an anniversary,” Brooker added.

Today, doctors, nurses and other hospital staff will have sticky fingers because on the third day of their appreciation week, healthcare providers “get to become kids again.”

“We’re going to have ice cream socials for every shift,” Brooker smiled. “It’s so funny to see everyone walking around with ice cream all over their selves licking ice cream cones.”

On Thursday, the city’s Leadership Marengo group will meet in the hospital’s classroom to talk about issues and changes that will improve the county.

After a day of seriousness, the fun begins again for employees on Friday with a cookout for doctors and office staff. But just because Friday’s lunch is for the office employees and doctors, doesn’t mean everyone else will get left out. On Saturday, the grill will come out again for all of BWWMH’s employees, and their families.

Although nothing new was added to the week’s festivities, the city’s Relay for Life event just happens to be Friday night at 6 p.m. at the river field.

“We are a title sponsor for Relay for Life and we want to make sure we support it,” Brooker said about the hospital staff whose Relay team surpassed it $5,000 goal. “Although this week is for the employees,” Brooker said, “We are really pushing for the public to come out for the health screening and Relay for Life.”