Dr. Craig Spencer left Bellevue Hospital today, Ebola free, and a powerful testament to the dedication and preparation of nurses and all the caregivers in our city’s public hospital system.

NYSNA stands with nurses across the country who are advocating for optimal Ebola protection for our patients and caregivers in all facilities — public and private. We renew our call on the President and Congress to take action to ensure nurses and patients get the protection we need — sign the petition here. And on Wednesday we are participating in a National Ebola Awareness Day. See below for details.

The preparation at Bellevue is a powerful model for other hospitals: Working closely with NYC Mayor’s office and the state and city Departments of Health, Bellevue Hospital RNs and other caregivers took the lead on preparing for our city’s first Ebola case, and Dr. Spencer was rushed there after he started running a fever.

NYSNA’s HHC Executive Council President Anne Bové, RN along with NYSNA’s Occupational Health and Safety representative worked for months on implementing optimal safety protocols at Bellevue in cooperation with hospital administrators.

We congratulate the Bellevue nurses for their incredible bravery and commitment.

“Please join me in returning our attention back to West Africa,” Dr. Spencer told today’s press conference. Spencer spent five weeks caring for Ebola patients in Guinea. He is a true hero and New York’s nurses thank him for his commitment to saving lives and stopping this epidemic. We strongly support incentive programs to encourage more courageous caregivers like Dr. Spencer to travel to Africa to help stop this terrible disease.

National Ebola Awareness Day on Wednesday

On Wednesday, we are joining our colleagues — New York City VA Hospital nurses from National Nurses United — for a candlelight vigil to call for federal mandates for optimal safety protocols. Join us!

What: National Ebola Awareness Day

When: Wednesday, Nov. 12, 2014. Candlelight vigil to start at 5:15 PM

Where: Foley Square, at the foot of the stairs of the Federal Courthouse, near the corner of Centre and Pearl Sts., Manhattan. Click here for a map.