Nurses at M Health Fairview strive to make all patients feel welcomed

Nurses at M Health Fairview want to make sure every patient feels welcomed.

The nurses started a pilot program at M Health Fairview University of Minnesota Masonic Children’s Hospital, providing dates to patients and their families during the month of Ramadan. Breaking daily fasts with the fruit is a Ramadan tradition. And for non-Muslim patients, it’s a way to spread awareness of the event.

"It doesn’t matter what faith you are a part of. Every single patient will get dates, water, or an apple to celebrate Ramadan. It’s not just a one-day thing we want to celebrate it every single day," Jessica Aye-Darko, a pediatric nurse, said.

Additionally, the program plans to recognize patients observing other religious events, like Easter and Passover.