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(Updated for 2023)
One of the best ways to find joy in our work is to celebrate each other. With this in mind, I’m putting together a list of special days you can celebrate with your co-workers. Did I miss anyone? If so, please let me know!
(Note that some of these dates vary depending on the source. I’m listing the times that seem most popular.)
January
- Pharmacist Appreciation Day: January 12
- Activity Professionals Week: January 23-27
February
- None?
March
- Social Worker Month
- Dentist Day: March 6
- Dietician Day: March 8
- Physician Day: March 30
April
- Occupational Therapy Day: April 1
- Volunteer Appreciation Week: April 16-22
- Hairstylist Appreciation Day: April 30
- Medical Lab Professionals Week: April 23-29
- Administrative Professionals Day: April 26
May
- Nurses Week: May 6-12
- Nursing Home Week: May 14-20
- Speech Pathology Day: May 18
June
- Nursing Assistant Week: June 14-20
July
- Therapeutic Recreation Week: July 9-15
August
- Health Unit Coordinator Day: August 23
September
- Physical Therapy Day: September 8
- Healthcare Environmental Services Week: September 10-16
- Assisted Living Week: September 10-16
- Rehabilitation Awareness Week: September 18-24
- Human Resource Professional Day: September 26
October
- Physician Assistant Week: October 6-12
- Clergy Appreciation Day: October 8
- Healthcare Food Service Week: October 1-7
- Boss’s Day: October 16
November
- Hospice & Palliative Care Month
- Nurse Practitioner Week: November 12-18
December
- None?
Again, please let me know in the comment section if I missed a special day!
Becky Birchfield says
Hey I was looking for Pride in Food Service week, cause we celebrate that here at my facility. I finally found it somewhere else. If you wanted to know it is February 7-11. Thanks for all the info. It’s everything I have been looking for.
Diane says
Hi Becky,
Thanks for your input. Last year, I posted Pride in Food Service Week, but a reader told me most nursing homes celebrate Healthcare Food Service Week in October. I would love to hear what the rest of you do. I’ll be happy to post whichever event is most popular.
Victoria says
ATRA is the only national organization representing recreation therapists – and we celebrate TR month the entire month of February (not the week in July). It’s nice because as an Activities Director, I celebrate my team the last week of January for Activities Prof Week and then myself as the CTRS (and any other future CTRS’s in the future on our team) during TR month!
Diane says
Hi Victoria,
Thanks for sharing! I’m curious to know when the rest of my readers celebrate recreation therapists.
Desiree C says
I am looking for a day for General Services? I thought we use to have one for our team.
Diane says
Hello Desiree,
Thanks for your question. I’m not sure what you mean by General Services. Which departments does this include? Are you in the United States?
Nellie Michelle Whiteley says
What about the maintenance team? Would that fall under environmental services?
Diane says
Hi Nellie,
Yes, it’s my understanding that most senior living communities honor their maintenance staff during Environmental Services Week.
Nellie Michelle Whiteley says
Perfect, thank you
Beth Mathena says
Here it is listed as Facilities and engineering week Oct 22nd to Oct 28th 2023
Diane says
Hello Beth,
Depending on the source, I’ve found a few roles that are honored in more than one month/week. I tried to choose the ones that are most common in senior living communities. I don’t know that it matters when we celebrate each department as long as everyone is included. Thanks for your input!