Sharp HealthCare RN to Represent Fellow Nurses on Rose Parade Float

Maureen Latham
Maureen Latham

On Jan. 1, 2013, nurses will be honored and will receive worldwide recognition when the appropriately themed float, "A Healing Place," takes to the historic parade route as part of the 124th Rose Parade®. 

Ten nurses will have the opportunity to ride this historic float, representing diverse backgrounds and disciplines. Among those 10 riders is a Sharp HealthCare nurse — Maureen Latham, an RN at Sharp Mary Birch Hospital for Women & Newborns.

The nurses' float was built entirely with funds raised by the nonprofit group Bare Root, Inc., which consists of five Southern California nurses who assembled in 2007 when learned that Sally Bixby, RN, would be president of the Tournament of Roses in 2012. The group seized the opportunity to honor nurses worldwide, showcasing the unique characteristics of nurses through the incredibly warm, nature-themed float, "A Healing Place."

"Nurses create 'a healing place' with their presence, anywhere and under any circumstance," said Monica Weisbrich, RN, president of Bare Root, Inc.

The qualities of nurses and characteristics of nursing are reflected in the design of this float with words inscribed on the base: caring, commitment, compassion, confidence, conscientiousness and intelligence. Nurses bring these qualities to create "a healing place" using wisdom, skill and versatility to nurture and educate their patients to prevent illness or gently helping them heal. 

About Sharp HealthCare
Selected as one of 32 Pioneer Accountable Care Organizations by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) and a 2007 Malcolm Baldrige National Quality Award recipient, Sharp HealthCare is San Diego's most comprehensive health care delivery system. It is recognized for clinical excellence for services in cardiac, cancer and multiorgan transplantation, as well as orthopedics, rehabilitation, behavioral health and women's health.

Sharp HealthCare has been widely acclaimed for its commitment to transform the health care experience for patients, physicians and staff through an organization-wide performance improvement initiative called The Sharp Experience. The Sharp system includes four acute-care hospitals, three specialty hospitals, two affiliated medical groups and a health plan.