TOMORROW: Nurses Hold Speak Out to Save Maternal Health Services at North Star/Claxton-Hepburn
** MEDIA ADVISORY FOR WEDNESDAY, JULY 29 AT 4:45 PM **
Contact: Joseph Celestin | press@nysna.org | 518-776-8337
Kristi Barnes | press@nysna.org | 646-853-4489
NURSES TO HOLD SPEAK-OUT TO SAVE MATERNAL HEALTH SERVICES AT NORTH STAR / CLAXTON-HEPBURN
NYSNA Nurses Demand North Star Stop Proposed Closure of Essential Health Services
North Country Nurses and Allies to Speak Out Before Public Hearing
Ogdensburg, N.Y.– On Wednesday, July 29, NYSNA nurses will hold a speak-out to demand that North Star Health Alliance cancel the proposed closure of maternal health services at Claxton-Hepburn Medical Campus. As the only birthing center within 30 miles of Ogdensburg, the maternity unit is a critical resource for St. Lawrence County and the North Country overall. Closing the unit would force patients to travel far distances to give birth and receive maternal care, even in emergency situations. The closest hospitals are ill-equipped to handle an influx of new patients.
NYSNA nurses, advocates and elected officials will speak about the devastating impact the closure could have on birthing people, parents, children, and patients across the North Country. They will then attend the public hearing where community members will have the opportunity to comment and raise questions about North Star’s plans for Claxton-Hepburn.
WHO: NYSNA nurses from North Star/ Claxton-Hepburn, North Star/ Carthage, Canton-Potsdam Hospital and Samaritan Medical Center; and labor allies, advocates, and elected officials, including Ogdensburg Mayor Michael Tooley, St. Lawrence County Legislator Rita Curran, Northeast Central Labor Council and Planned Parenthood.
WHAT: Speak-Out to Save Maternal Health Services at North Star/ Claxton-Hepburn
WHEN: Wednesday, July 29 at 4:45 p.m.
WHERE: In front of Ogdensburg Free Academy Auditorium, 1100 State St, Ogdensburg, NY 13669
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The New York State Nurses Association represents approximately 45,000 members in New York State. We are New York’s largest union and professional association for registered nurses. NYSNA is an affiliate of National Nurses United, AFL-CIO, the country's largest and fastest-growing union and professional association of registered nurses, with more than 225,000 members nationwide.