National Hospital Week traditions continue at SMH with Blessing of the Hands ceremony today, community cookout on Friday
Stephens Memorial Hospital is celebrating National Hospital Week this week with a mix of traditions, community activities and fundraising opportunities. The week’s events started with the annual Blessing of the Hands this morning and will wrap up with and a cookout for the community on Friday, May 15.
Rev. Otho Noggle, center, and Joe Knust, right, use olive oil on the hands of local healthcare workers during the Blessing of the Hands ceremony this morning, May 12. (Photo by Tony Pilkington/Breckenridge Texan)
Organized by the American Hospital Association, National Hospital Week recognizes the dedication of more than 6 million caregivers and staff nationwide, highlighting their contributions to healthcare. The 2026 National Hospital Week is May 10-16, which overlaps a few days with National Nurses Week, May 6-12.
Locally, SMH is honoring its staff all week with special events, giveaways, etc. The theme for this year’s National Hospital Week is “Healing Happens Here,” with a stated focus on the resilience, innovation and compassion of healthcare workers.
Today, Tuesday, May 12, many Breckenridge healthcare workers gathered at the SMH helicopter landing pad for Rev. Otho Noggle’s annual Blessing of the Hands.
Rev. Noggle, who was assisted by Joe Knust, walked the circle, placing olive oil in the hands of each participant while sharing the biblical significance of the olive tree and the historical healing properties of its oil. The service concluded with a prayer for the healthcare employees and their work.
To see more pictures from the Blessing of the Hands ceremony, click here for the Breckenridge Texan’s Photo Gallery.
To celebrate the conclusion of Hospital Week, SMH invites the community to lunch on the front lawn of the hospital, 200 S. Geneva St., Friday, May 15. From 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., the hospital staff will be serving free hamburgers and hotdogs, along with chips and a drink, to all visitors.
Fundraising Drawing
Also on Friday, the SMH Foundation’s fundraising raffle benefiting the SMH Senior Meals Program will conclude.
The drawing will be for four prizes:
- Two-person portable hammock
- Portable propane pizza oven
- Three-piece patio set
- Rocker chair with side table
Tickets for the drawing cost $5 each or 5 for $20 and are available at the SMH front desk. Ticket sales will end at 10 a.m. on May 15, with the drawing held later that day.
The SMH Senior Meals Program provides meals to local seniors and shut-ins, similar to the Meals on Wheels program. Both programs are handled through the hospital, and the meals are delivered by volunteers in the community.
Color Burst Run
The SMH Color Burst 5K Run that had been scheduled for May 30 has been postponed.
During the Blessing of the Hands ceremony, Rev. Otho Noggle applies olive oil to the hands of healthcare workers. He talks about the role the olive tree in the Bible and the history of the healing properties of olive oil. (Photo by Tony Pilkington/Breckenridge Texan)
Cutline, top photo: The Rev. Otho Noggle, on the right side of the circle, and Joe Knust, on the left side of the circle, anoint the hands of local healthcare workers with olive oil during the Blessing of the Hands event on Tuesday morning, May 12. To see more photos from the event, click here. (Photo by Tony Pilkington/Breckenridge Texan)
