Online Exclusive
City Council says they’ll do ‘whatever it takes’ to save Mount Vernon Hospital
Images: Mount Vernon Nurses address Mount Vernon City Council
 |
 |
 |
Click on the individual thumbnails for a larger image.
“This council will do whatever it takes to save Mount Vernon Hospital,” Roberta Apuzzo told a meeting packed with concerned community members and nurses.
“I’ve been to Mount Vernon Hospital five times in recent years, and every time I’ve received excellent care,” said Apuzzo, the president of the City Council. “The tenderness of the staff totally overwhelmed me. But it seems like the Board of Directors is playing games.”
She wasn’t alone. All five members of the City Council spoke strongly in favor of keeping the hospital open. “I was born in that hospital,” said Councilwoman Deborah Reynolds. “We have to save it.”
“Our citizens in this community need this hospital,” said Lola Onatolu, an RN at the hospital. “This is the only hospital that provides emergency services in Mount Vernon. And we serve the community very well.”
Stop hollowing out our hospital
Tracey McCook said that the hospital’s current management has cut too many services in Mount Vernon and shifted them to New Rochelle.
Council President Apuzzo agreed: “One of the biggest failures of the current administration is not having ob-gyn services at the hospital.”
Community leader Ronnie Cox said the hospital needs new management and a new board of directors.
Maria Kercado, Vice President of 1199 SEIU, and Anthony James, president of the Mount Vernon PTA, also spoke about the vital needs this hospital serves.
Nurses are hopeful they can keep the hospital open and help it succeed. “I was born in Mount Vernon Hospital,” said Kathy DeRosa, RN. “This is a struggling – but fighting – community.”
Mount Vernon nurses in the news
- Journal News: “Nurses plead for Mount Vernon Hospital’s life”
- NBC New York: “Mount Vernon Nurses, Officials Meet Over Hospital Woes”
- Mount Vernon Daily Voice: “Nurses Urge Mount Vernon City Council to Help Save Hospital”
The New York State Nurses Association is the voice for nursing in the Empire State. With more than 37,000 members, it is New York’s largest professional association and union for registered nurses. The association represents registered nurses, and some all-professional bargaining units, in New York and New Jersey. It supports nurses and nursing practice through education, research, legislative advocacy, and collective bargaining.