On Thursday, RNs, doctors, caregivers, patients, advocates, and elected officials packed the 7th floor of North Central Bronx Hospital to cut the ribbon for Labor and Delivery services – which, after a year of fighting, we brought back from closure.
 
Last August, Mayor Bloomberg and city officials shut down the unit – a decision that stretched Bronx nurses and caregivers to the limit and put the health and lives of our patients at risk. In response, NYSNA joined with unions, community groups, and elected officials, including Public Advocate Letitia James, to bring Labor and Delivery services back.
 
“As nurses, it is our duty to advocate for patients, whether at their bedsides or in the streets,” Anne Bové, RN and President of NYSNA’s HHC Executive Council. “We will continue to stand united and do whatever it takes to protect the mission of HHC and ensure that all of our patients have access to quality public healthcare in their communities.”
 
“The reopening of Labor and Delivery has been a labor of love,” said Frank Proscia, President of Doctors Council SEIU, “from unions, to mothers, to the community."
 
“Let this be the beginning of a conversation with communities to have all the services we need,” added Anthony Feliciano, Director of the Commission on the Public’s Health System.
 
Today’s victory coincides with National Midwifery Week – a recognition of the care that we provide for mothers and babies every day.
 
Check out photos from the event on our Facebook page.