If you’re responsible for building or managing a healthcare team, you know how competitive it can be to retain top talent and demonstrate meaningful appreciation. Integrating company culture into your hiring strategy can make a big difference when it comes to attracting and keeping the right professionals.

Celebrating notable moments in the healthcare calendar can give you a strategic advantage for keeping employees happy and feeling appreciated. National awareness days, weeks, and months spotlight the professionals who keep our healthcare systems running. These observances aren’t just about recognition – they offer a strategic opportunity to assess your team’s needs, strengthen engagement, and align your workforce planning with moments that matter. Let’s take a look at a few notable healthcare observances in 2025 that can support your recruitment, retention, and culture-building efforts.

7 Key Dates in Healthcare Awareness You Won’t Want to Miss

Getting ahead of these annual healthcare observances helps promote early detection, prevention, and better support for the communities you serve. It’s also a timely opportunity to evaluate your staffing, show appreciation for your team’s contributions, and ensure you have the right people in place to deliver high-quality care.

April: Occupational Health NURSES WEEK & MONTH

Occupational health professionals play a vital role in keeping workforces healthy and safe. They manage injury prevention programs, support compliance, run on-site health services, and help employees return to work safely.

April is recognized as Occupational Health Month in the U.S. and includes Occupational Health Nurses Week (OHN Week), making it a great time to assess your team’s capabilities and consider if additional support is needed. As workplace wellness continues to be a priority and regulatory requirements evolve, reviewing your occupational health program ensures it stays effective. Even though April has passed, if your team is stretched thin or your program is expanding, now is the perfect time to explore new resources.

May: National Nurses Week

National Nurses Week (May 6-12) honors the hard work and dedication of nurses who care for patients in hospitals, clinics, and communities across the country. Nurses are essential to healthcare delivery, and the shortage of skilled nursing professionals continues to be one of the biggest challenges in the healthcare industry.

This week serves as a reminder to focus on the recruitment, retention, and support of your nursing teams. Take this time to ensure your nursing staff is well-supported, assess whether your team is at capacity, and begin planning for future staffing needs. Recognizing National Nurses Week isn't just about appreciation - it's a strategic moment to align your nursing workforce with your care delivery goals.

May: Mental Health Awareness Month

Mental health has become a top priority for healthcare organizations, with demand for behavioral health professionals skyrocketing. Mental Health Awareness Month, observed in May, draws attention to the importance of mental well-being and the critical need for expanding access to mental health services. This awareness month is a great time for hiring managers to assess the state of their behavioral health teams.

Whether your organization provides mental health services in a clinic, hospital, or outpatient setting, evaluating your capacity to meet the growing need for mental health care is crucial. Take stock of your team’s ability to support patients and identify any staffing shortages that may affect service delivery.

October: National Physician Assistant Week

National Physician Assistant Week (October 6–12) is a great opportunity to recognize the vital contributions PAs make to patient care. PAs are responsible for diagnosing illnesses, conducting physical exams, prescribing medications, and assisting in surgeries, all while working closely with physicians to provide comprehensive care across a variety of specialties.

This week also offers a chance to evaluate how your organization supports and retains PAs. Are they receiving the recognition and resources they need? Are hiring and career development strategies keeping pace with the growing demand for PAs? Addressing these areas can help keep PAs engaged and motivated to stay with your organization long-term.

October: Case Management Week

Case managers are integral to healthcare, ensuring patients receive coordinated and holistic care. They assess patient needs, create care plans, facilitate communication between providers, and help patients navigate complex medical systems - all while keeping costs in check. Case Management Week Week (October 12–18) is a great time to evaluate your team, assess workloads, and plan for future staffing needs.

As patient care becomes more fragmented and complex, the demand for skilled case managers continues to rise. These professionals help bridge gaps, reduce hospital readmissions, and streamline patient transitions, ultimately improving care quality and patient satisfaction. Case Management Week provides a great opportunity to assess your team’s performance and ensure you're adequately staffed to meet the evolving needs of your patient population.

November: Allied Health Professions Week

Allied health professionals play an essential role in healthcare, from radiologic technologists to physical therapists to respiratory therapists. Allied Health Professions Week (November 1–7), is the perfect time to highlight the importance of these roles within your organization.

With the growing demand for specialized care, hiring managers need to stay ahead of the curve when it comes to allied health staffing. Recognizing the contributions of allied health professionals this week is a great opportunity to reinforce the value of your team and plan for recruitment needs in the months ahead.

November: National Nurse Practitioner Week

Nurse Practitioners (NPs) deliver essential care, balancing clinical expertise with a personal touch to meet patient needs. They manage treatment plans, provide primary care, and fill gaps in areas with limited physician access. National Nurse Practitioner Week (November 9-15) is a chance to recognize the contributions and impact NPs have on your organization and community.

This week is a great opportunity to assess how well your organization supports and retains NPs. Are they feeling valued? Do your incentives and growth opportunities keep them engaged? Are your hiring practices meeting the growing demand for NPs? Reflecting on these questions can help ensure your team is ready for future needs and promote long-term retention.

Workforce Planning That Works Year-Round

Awareness days aren’t just dates on the calendar - they’re a chance to check in on your team, plan ahead, and show appreciation. For hiring managers, they’re a natural time to ask: Do we have the right staffing mix? Are there roles we should fill sooner rather than later? Just as important, they’re an opportunity to strengthen your culture. When people feel recognized and supported, they’re more likely to stay. Building these moments into your hiring and retention strategy can go a long way in keeping your team engaged and setting your organization apart.

Yoh Healthcare works with hospitals, clinics, health systems, and MCOs to help build strong, sustainable teams across the continuum of care. From contract support to long-term hires, we connect you with professionals who are ready to make an impact. If you’re ready to start planning for what’s next, we’re here to help.