Local nurse to throw first pitch, nursing student to sing national
anthem at tonight's game
May 10, 2011 (Business Wire) -- In celebration of National Nurses Week (May 6-12), Chamberlain College of Nursing is teaming up with Nursing Spectrum, a Gannett company, to host the second annual "Nurses' Night at the Ballpark" with the Chicago Cubs at Wrigley Field on May 10. The evening is dedicated to recognizing Chicago area nurses and nurse educators for their commitment to continually improving patient care. Registered nurse (RN), Karen Filpi, will throw the ceremonial first pitch, and Chamberlain nursing student, Bianca Giraldo, will sing the national anthem.
Chamberlain College of Nursing, a proud advocate for the nursing profession, sponsors "Nurses' Night at the Ballpark" annually, as a way to recognize and thank all the nurses of the Chicago area who are devoted to meeting the diverse needs of their patients.
"At Chamberlain, we value the critical and exceptional care that nurses deliver every day," said Susan Groenwald, president of Chamberlain College of Nursing. "Joining with the Chicago Cubs and Nursing Spectrum to host ‘Nurses' Night at the Ballpark' gives us all the chance to publicly applaud nurses for their work and encourage the public to do the same."
The Chicago Cubs are well-acquainted with the value of quality nursing care. After all, nurses played a significant role in the life of Cubs starting pitcher Ryan Dempster, whose daughter Riley was born in April 2009 with a chromosomal disease that required continual care.
"Nurses are true heroes for their compassion and unparalleled ability to care for their patients," said Dempster. "On behalf of the Chicago Cubs organization, we salute all those who work in this critical profession. I know my daughter Riley's good health today is a result of the remarkable care she received from her nurses."
Huntley, Ill. resident, Karen Filpi, RN, was chosen to throw the ceremonial first pitch of the "Nurses' Night at the Ballpark" game after entering Chamberlain's online essay contest in which registered nurses were invited to share the proudest moment of their career. Filpi worked with newborns in the neonatal intensive care unit for more than 20 years at Children's Memorial Hospital in Chicago, Advocate Lutheran General Hospital in Park Ridge, Ill. and Advocate Good Shepherd Hospital in Barrington, Ill.
One year into her career, Filpi was asked to care for a baby boy who was born with half a heart. The baby fought for 21 days until the family received news that a heart was available for transplant. Throughout the wait for surgery, Karen developed a close bond with the baby and his family and still maintains a relationship with them today. Karen was also present for his second heart and kidney transplants in October 2009.