Nurses, Certified Nurses Aides, Technicians, Housekeepers, Activities Assistants, Therapists, Pathologists, Clericals, Technologists, and Maintenance workers will lead SEIU Healthcare Florida

Miami Lakes, Florida – Leadership of the state’s largest healthcare union were elected in a union-wide vote by the members of SEIU Healthcare Florida this week. The results were certified today by the union’s Election Board. Fifty-seven union members were elected by mail ballot to serve a three-year term on the Executive Board of SEIU Healthcare Florida, an affiliate of the Service Employees International Union.

The new Board members are predominantly rank and file healthcare workers employed in hospitals and nursing homes across the state, including University of Miami Hospital, HCA, and Tenet hospitals as well as Seacrest, Delta, Greystone, Seniors Management, and DOS nursing homes.

The new Executive Board will be installed on April 15, 2008 at a ceremony presided by Andy Stern, International President of SEIU, the nation’s largest union.

The following members were elected to the top Officer positions in SEIU Healthcare Florida:

· Monica Russo, President, Miami Lakes.

· Stella Williams, Executive Vice President at Large. Former Certified Nurses Aide, North Miami.

· Brenda Williams, Executive Vice President, Long Term Care Division. Activities Assistant, University Village (Westport), Tampa.

· Frank Genung, Executive Vice President, Health Systems Division. Registered Nurse, St. Mary’s Medical Center (Tenet), West Palm Beach.

· Betsy Marville, Executive Vice President, Nurse Division. Registered Nurse, St Mary’s Medical Center (Tenet), West Palm Beach.

· Micheline Louis Charles, Recording Secretary. Certified Nurses Aide, Fountainhead Care Center (Delta), North Miami.

· Dale Ewart, Secretary Treasurer. Division Director, Miami Lakes.

· Eduardo Eguino, Vice President, Health Systems Division. Surgical Technician, Kendall Regional Medical Center (HCA), Kendall.

· Cloreta Morgan, Vice President, Long Term Care Division. Certified Nurses Aide, Unity Health and Rehab Center (Greystone), Miami.

· Janelle Manigault, Vice President, Health Systems Division. Licensed Practical Nurse, St. Petersburg General Hospital (HCA).

· Quettie Isoff, Vice President, Long Term Care Division. Certified Nurses Aide, Palm Garden of West Palm Beach.

· Patricia Sheran-Diaz, Vice President, Health System Division. Licensed Practical Nurse, University Hospital and Medical Center (HCA), Ft. Lauderdale.

· Pearl Gooden, Vice President, Long Term Care Division. Certified Nurses Aide, Delta Health Care Center of Tampa.

Union members also approved a new constitution which will govern the organization. The constitution states that “The purpose of this union is to work to improve the lives of our members and their families by organizing and representing health care employees in Florida. By doing so, we can build industry power to more effectively improve the working conditions, standards and quality of life for healthcare workers and the quality of care for our patients, residents and clients.”

SEIU Healthcare Florida is the state’s largest healthcare union representing 16,000 nurses, hospital and nursing home workers at 100 facilities across the state. www.seiuhealthcarefl.org

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