Honor Our Nurses

Carmina M. Parkes, RN Mary M. Parkes, RN Maureen L. Prince, MS, BSN, RN

Nurses have always had a profound impact on the health and wellbeing of our society. They offer constant care and comfort to patients to alleviate their suffering. Never has this been more relevant than over the past two years as we battled the COVID-19 pandemic, where nurses put their lives on the line every day to provide for their communities.

The University of Rochester Medical Center (URMC) knows how important nurses are to the healthcare system and has developed the Honor Our Nurses campaign to raise money for scholarships, continuing education and promote awareness for nurses everywhere. Community members and organizations generously donated to the program as well as shared stories about how nurses have influenced their lives. The campaign was sponsored by several surrounding organizations including O’Connell Electric, who led the campaign as the Presenting Sponsor.

The company’s inspiration to present the Honor our Nurses Campaign comes from our owners, the Parkes family, who all have strong ties to healthcare and nurses in particular. Carmina Parkes, wife to Walter Parkes and mother to Tom, Susan and Linda, and Mary Parkes, daughter to Carmina and Walter and sister to Tom, Susan, and Linda, were both registered nurses. They devoted themselves to helping others, a value that continues to be upheld by the rest of the Parkes family today. Early in her life, Mary was diagnosed with severe asthma. Though she suffered for many years with asthma, Mary was first and foremost a nurse. A critical care nurse at Rochester General Hospital, Mary was known for her unfailing optimism and perseverance. She understood the challenges of being a patient. Mary was hospitalized more than 50 times in ten years. As a result, she carried a special understanding with her to every patient’s bedside. After a long struggle with the disease, Mary died in April of 1991. She as only 32 years old. Three short years later, the Mary Parkes Center – the first center of its kind in Western, NY – was established. It was made possible through the generous support of Mary’s parents, Walt and Carm, her siblings, and her doctors, Dr. Susan Ristow and Dr. Michael Finigan as well as Mary’s nurse and best friend, Maureen Prince, who is Clinical Director of the center.

The longstanding partnership between the Parkes family and URMC has enabled the continued advancement of care, research, and education in the healthcare industry. We at O’Connell Electric share these ideals and encourage our team members and friends to take the time to Honor Our Nurses.

To learn more about the Honor Our Nurses or to contribute please visit: https://www.rochester.edu/advancement/honor-our-nurses/

O’Connell Electric Company

is proud and honored to serve as the presenting sponsor of the Honor OUR Nurses campaign.

Our commitment is made in memory of Carmina M. Parkes, RN and Mary M. Parkes, RN and in honor of Maureen L. Prince, MS, BSN, RN, and ALL nurses.

We offer our encouragement and support to School of Nursing students, and our deepest respect and tremendous gratitude for ALL nurses for their unflagging compassion, exceptional strength, dedication, and kindness so tirelessly given. Our hearts are overflowing for the difference you have made in the world of healthcare for everyone. Thank you, Dean Kathy Rideout and Chief Nursing Executive Karen Keady, for your devoted and steadfast leadership.