Press Release: SEIU RNs Mobilize for Hurricane Gustav

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: September 1, 2008
CONTACT: Carter Wright, 202-531-9386

Nurse Alliance of SEIU Healthcare Mobilizing RNs and Medical Supplies to Gulf Coast Areas in Advance of Hurricane Gustav

WASHINGTON, DC – Service Employees International Union (SEIU) Executive Vice President and Nurse Alliance Chair Dian Palmer, RN, issued the following statement regarding the work being done by SEIU nurses and leaders across the country in anticipation of the health impacts of Hurricane Gustav:

“As Hurricane Gustav bears down on the Gulf Coast, leaders of the Nurse Alliance of SEIU Healthcare are mobilizing RNs and medical supplies to arrive as soon as possible to areas threatened by the storm.

“Drawing on their experiences as first responders to Hurricane Katrina in 2005, the RN leaders have activated a rapid response system to be able to deploy first responders, and will be working with our partner hospitals and institutions to jointly collect and donate the needed medical supplies such as nebulizers, vaccines, gloves, masks, and medications necessary to deliver competent care to evacuees and victims of the impending storm.

“SEIU Value Care, Value Nurses RN Daniel Rubalcaba has been on the ground since Saturday in Beaumont, Texas, where he is caring for medically fragile patients at the Memorial Herman Baptist Hospital. Daniel is working with the union’s national leadership and local authorities to determine and service the areas of greatest need.

“In 2005, SEIU deployed more than 100 RNs along with truckloads of medical supplies to provide care for the victims of Hurricane Katrina. Along with the first responders, the union also sent two of its Mobile Action Center trailers to the area to provide phone and internet access to thousands of evacuees.

“Time is of the essence, and SEIU stands ready to do its part to assist the families that live in the storm’s path. We will go as soon as feasible and we will stay as long as needed.”

For up-to-date information on SEIU’s relief efforts, or if you are a Registered Nurse interested in volunteering for the effort, learn more and sign up at www.valuecarevaluenurses.org.

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The Nurse Alliance of SEIU Healthcare is the largest national nurse organization, made up of more than 85,000 registered nurses working together to raise standards for their profession and patient care. Because the Alliance is part of SEIU Healthcare – the nation’s largest healthcare union – nurses are working with more than one million health care workers to change the face of health care in America.