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The Department of Pastoral Care at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center hosted “Blessing of the Hands,” a tradition symbolizing compassionate care. Army Major Robert W. Fry, Father John J. Heffernan, Rabbi Randy Brown, and Imam Mohamed Khan officiated the ceremony on November 22, 2023.
Blessing of the Hands is a universal healthcare tradition believed to have been started by Florence Nightingale in the 1800s. It is a symbolic gesture to remind nurses their hands should consistently deliver compassionate care. During the Blessing of the Hands ceremony, participants’ hands are anointed with oil (usually olive oil, but it could be other oils made from different materials such as lavender) as a symbol of their commitment to providing a compassionate, healing touch to all they serve.
This ceremony was opened to all Walter Reed students, faculty, nurses, and nursing alums, welcoming individuals of every faith background.
(DoD Photographs by Harvey A. Duze, Office of Command Communications, Walter Reed)
| Date Taken: | 11.22.2023 |
| Date Posted: | 11.29.2023 09:43 |
| Photo ID: | 8141090 |
| VIRIN: | 231122-A-VU957-1029 |
| Resolution: | 4200x2794 |
| Size: | 6.24 MB |
| Location: | BETHESDA, MARYLAND, US |
| Web Views: | 19 |
| Downloads: | 2 |
This work, Walter Reed Dept. of Pastoral Care Blessing of the Hands Ceremony, Nov. 22, 2023 [Image 4 of 4], by Harvey Duze, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
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