MILWAUKEE — National Nurses Week is underway this week and concludes on May 12.

As a way to say thanks, Ascension Columbia St. Mary’s Prospect Medical Commons Campus hosted a surprise lunch for 200 female health care associates.

“[It was] very much appreciated. I did not know this was happening, and all the doctors we know brought in some treats, and we feel like celebrities. It is much appreciated,” said Ann Drescher, a Registered Nurse with Ascension Wisconsin.

The Daisie Foundation helped make this event possible by organizing the meal for the lunch and treat bags filled with goodies from Benefit Cosmetics. Cousins Subs also donated the meals.

“I was approached by the Daisie Foundation about two weeks ago about an opportunity to do some outreach and celebrate our staff here, and the last few years have really been trying for our staff, and it is so nice to have the community give back and show them how much we support them,” said Katy Pavlik, Clinic Manager at Ascension.

“Giving back makes your heart feel wonderful. Mothers do not take care of themselves, they are always thinking of themselves last. So, we are here today to just shower our mothers with as much love as we can and we are thankful for our partners Cousins Subs and Benefit Cosmetics,” said Brittany McCollum with The Daisie Foundation.

However, this event was much more than a luncheon. It was a way to celebrate the hard work health care heroes do daily — especially nurses.

“Nurses are the one’s that are there doing the hard work daily, doctors even rely on them. We can’t get by without them,” said Pavlik.

At the height of the pandemic, when many patients were isolated from families, it was nurses who showed up with compassion to help brighten the long days of solitude.

As for Drescher, she is just grateful she gets to do what she is passionate about with a team she loves working with. “It is an honor to work with all of them and we couldn’t do what we do without our team approach.”