Eva Young and Jan Stackhouse might be long-term care residents today but as former nurses, they were once providing the care themselves. Young began her nursing career in 1949 while Stackhouse’s began in 1978, so it would be no stretch at all to dub them “living legends” in the field.
The Arkansas Nurse Honor Guard’s Saline County Chapter did just that in December when they honored the pair as the first-ever living tributes in the organization’s history.
“It was incredibly special to see two of our residents honored for their sacrifice and commitment to the healthcare profession,” said Nancy Brown, executive director at Southern Trace Rehabilitation and Care Center in Bryant, AR. “Both of these women dedicated their lives to caring for others. We had a great turnout of individuals from the facility, community and ANHG to honor [them] alongside their families. The tribute is a simple yet beautiful gesture to recognize nurses who gave so much during their careers.”
Founded in February 2021 by three nurses, the Arkansas Nurse Honor Guard now boasts 24 chapters and has provided 220 tributes to nurses across the state. Typically, these tributes are presented at funeral and memorial services but Young and Stackhouse were the first to witness the ceremony in person. In addition to the recognition, they each received a handcrafted quilt, a bouquet of flowers surrounding a white rose, and a Nightingale lamp keepsake.
For Stackhouse, a former director of nursing at Southern Trace, the ceremony was a touching full circle moment.
“Many of the current employees that are here now were hired by Jan. She moved into Southern Trace in April of 2021 and continues to coach not only the employees that she hired, but also the new employees that have joined our team,” said Brown. “Needless to say, she is well respected by everyone here.”
As for Young, she may no longer be a practicing nurse but don’t try telling that to her. Nurses will age out of the profession but familiar habits never die.
“She will be the first to tell you that she is a nurse. Even though her memory challenges her, her everyday activities reflect her caring for those that live on the same unit she resides on,” said Brown. “She is so giving, she will even remove her jacket to place it on someone else’s shoulders if she thinks they are cold. If our charge nurses misplace their stethoscope, chances are they may find it in Eva’s room.”
