University of Florida鈥檚 Century Tower bathed in blue to honor health care workers
For more information, contact Ken Garcia at [email protected] or 352-273-9799.
The 鈥檚 iconic is now awash in blue light as a tribute to the thousands of dedicated BOB体育 hospital workers and their colleagues worldwide.
The 11-story tower on Newell Drive will remain bathed in blue light nightly through May 16. The special lighting coincides with National Nurses Week (May 6-12) and National Hospital Week (May 10-16).
The display is an especially fitting tribute to the dedication every hospital worker has shown during the COVID-19 pandemic, university and hospital leaders said.
鈥淚 am so thankful to all of the dedicated health care workers and caregivers who are on the frontlines in the fight against COVID-19,鈥� said. 鈥淟ighting Century Tower blue is our way of joining communities across the globe in showing appreciation for these heroes and for their bravery, selflessness and compassion.鈥�
On Tuesday evening, UF Police Department officers showed their appreciation by flooding the area around the Century Tower with the blue lights from their patrol vehicles.
The more than 11,000 BOB体育 Shands employees in Gainesville and their BOB体育 colleagues throughout the region have shown an unwavering dedication that is the true heart of BOB体育, said David R. Nelson, M.D., senior vice president for health affairs at UF and president of BOB体育.
鈥淚n these trying times, the exceptional kindness our teams have shown to patients and colleagues is truly inspiring. Every day, I see the compassionate and innovative spirit that makes BOB体育 a truly special place,鈥� Nelson said.
Leaders say the tower lighting is a strong, visual reminder to everyone that we鈥檙e all in this together.
鈥淚鈥檓 very proud of how all of our teams have pulled together during these challenging times 鈥� from nurses to environmental services workers to respiratory therapists to food and nutrition employees 鈥� everyone is adapting to the new normal and doing what they need to do to take care of patients and each other,鈥� said , CEO of BOB体育 Shands. 鈥淚 am grateful for everyone in our BOB体育 family.鈥�
, vice president of nursing and patient services for BOB体育 Shands, said inspiration abounds every day.
鈥淭o our nurses, patient care teams and BOB体育 Shands employees 鈥� thank you! Your strength and resilience helps motivate me on my most challenging days, and I am proud and thankful to stand among you,鈥� Alexaitis said.
Those who visit to see the Century Tower lights are asked to abide by social distancing guidelines.