April Healthcare Recognition Days - 2017
Month-long Observances
Counseling Awareness Month
The American Counseling Association designates April each year as a time to recognize the differences professional counselors make in communities throughout the world.
American Counseling Association – http://www.counseling.org
March for Babies
March for Babies is the nation’s biggest and oldest charity walking event. Funds help women have full-term pregnancies and healthy babies, thus, reducing health costs to employers.
March of Dimes – http://www.marchforbabies.org
National Autism Awareness Month
The Autism Society has been celebrating National Autism Awareness Month since the 1970s. The month of April highlights the growing need for concern, awareness and acceptance about autism.
Autism Society – http://www.autism-society.org
National Foot Health Awareness Month
National Foot Health Awareness Month educates the public about podiatrists’ expertise in the diagnosis and treatment of injuries that affect lower extremities and their ability to provide guidance on the right footwear, prescribe custom orthotics and evaluate individuals’ biomechanics.
American Podiatric Association – http://www.apma.org
National Humor Month
National Humor Month focuses on the therapeutic value and vital need for humor in healthcare.
National Minority Health Month
National Minority Health Month is held annually in April to raise awareness of minority health and healthcare disparities that continue to affect racial and ethnic minorities.
HHS Office of Minority Health – http://www.minorityhealth.hhs.gov
Occupational Therapy Month
Each April, occupational therapists, occupational therapy assistants and students in practice, education, research and science host a month-long celebration showcasing the importance of occupational therapy.
American Occupational Therapy Association – http://www.naham.org
Week-long Observances
April 2-8 National Healthcare Access Personnel Week
This is a week-long celebration to recognize the people in the patient access profession and their continued accomplishments of service in the healthcare access continuum.
National Association of Healthcare Access Management – http://www.naham.org
April 10-14 National Cancer Registrars Week (NCRW)
The purpose of National Cancer Registrars Week, established by the National Cancer Registrars Association, is to emphasize the foundation cancer registrars provide for cancer research, prevention and treatment. The 2016 theme is Cancer Registrars: The Heart of Improving Cancer Care.
National Cancer Registrars Association – http://www.ncra-usa.org
April 3-9 National Public Health Week
The American Public Health Association serves as the organizer of National Public Health Week, which recognizes the contributions of public health professionals and highlights issues important to public health.
American Public Health Association – http://www.apha.org
April 9-15 National Healthcare Volunteer Week
Established by President Richard Nixon in 1974, this day recognizes the support that volunteers and auxilians provide to hospital staff, their patients, family members and the community at the local, state and national levels.
Association for Healthcare Volunteer Resource Professionals – http://www.ahvrp.org
April 23-29 Administrative Professionals Day
This week is dedicated to advancing the professional development, leadership, value and excellence of administrative professionals, including individuals in healthcare, who maintain the seamless running of their organizations. It is one of the largest workplace observances besides birthdays and major holidays.
Association for Healthcare Administrative Professionals – http://www.ahcap.org
The International Association of Administrative Professionals – http://www.iaap-hq.org
April 16-22 Neurodiagnostic Week
Neurodiagnostic Week is celebrated the third full week of April. Honoring the contributions of neurodiagnostic professionals, this week-long event is an opportunity to demonstrate pride in the profession and in the individual accomplishments of neurodiagnostic technologists.
The Neurodiagnostic Society – http://www.aset.org
April 23-29 Medical Laboratory Professionals Week (MLPW Week)
National Medical Laboratory Professionals Week takes place the last full week of April each year. The week provides the profession with a unique opportunity to increase public understanding of and appreciation for clinical laboratory professionals and pathologists.
American Society for Clinical Laboratory Science – http://www.ascls.org
April 24-28 Patient Experience Week
This annual event is intended to celebrate healthcare staff impacting patient experience every day. Inspired by members of the Beryl Institute community, PX Week is a time for organizations to celebrate accomplishments, reenergize efforts and honor the people who impact patient experience, including nurses and physicians, support staff and executive professionals, patients, families and communities served.
Beryl Institute – http://www.theberylinstitute.org
Recognition Days
April 7 World Health Day
World Health Day is celebrated every year on April 7. It was first established to commemorate the formation of the World Health Organization (WHO). Today it is seen as an opportunity to draw worldwide attention to global health.
World Health Organization – http://www.who.int/en/
April 26 Administrative Professionals Day
This day is part of Administrative Professionals Week and is set aside to recognize the more than 22 million administrative and office support professionals working in the United States.
International Association of Administrative Professionals – http://www.iaap-hq.org
April -TBA- Radiologic & Imaging Nurses Day
Radiologic & Imaging Nurses Day promotes the specialty practice of radiologic and imaging nurses who advance the standard of care in the imaging environment.
Association for Radiologic & Imaging Nurses – http://www.arinursing.org