RN Rally in Hialeah, Fla: Wednesday, July 23 at 8:00 a.m.

RNs say HSA’s three South Florida hospitals are short on staff and supplies

Nurses from three Healthcare Systems of America (HSA) hospitals in Florida — Palmetto General Hospital in Hialeah, Coral Gables Hospital in Coral Gables, and Florida Medical Center in Lauderdale Lakes — are holding a joint rally on Wednesday, July 23 in Hialeah to highlight their patient safety concerns as they begin bargaining a new contract, announced National Nurses Organizing Committee/National Nurses United (NNOC/NNU).

“As we enter into contract negotiations, we are standing together in solidarity to let our patients know we are here to advocate for the best care possible for each and every person who comes to our hospitals,” said Lazaro Garcia, a registered nurse in the intensive care unit at Palmetto General Hospital. “We want to remind HSA that it was the nurses who held these hospitals together through the pandemic and bankruptcy. Now we need them to address our concerns.”

Who:    RNs from HSA’s Palmetto General Hospital, Coral Gables Hospital, and Florida Medical Center

What:   Rally for safe patient care

When:  Wednesday, July 23, from 8:00 - 9:00 a.m.

Where: 2001 W. 68th St., Hialeah, Fla. [south entrance to hospital off 68th St.]

The three HSA hospitals were previously owned by Steward Healthcare and were sold off last year during bankruptcy proceedings. Under Steward’s tenure, the hospital buildings were allowed to fall into disrepair, equipment remained broken, and supplies were in short supply. Unfortunately, these problems have persisted under HSA’s ownership.

“Often we do not have basic supplies, including clean linens, pillows, a variety of needles, or even appropriate tubing for many drips,” said Leroy Desance, a registered nurse at Coral Gables Hospital. “Daily we deal with broken beds, broken bedside computers, and faulty alarms. We are asking HSA to address these issues so we can provide our patients with optimal care.”

“HSA’s stated mission is ‘to elevate healthcare standards’ and ‘improve patient outcomes’ and as nurses we strive for this everyday,” said Chrystel Willis, a registered nurses at Florida Medical Center. “But we know we must have appropriate staffing and supplies if we are to reach these goals. We need HSA to work with us as we care for our communities.”

NNOC/NNU represents about 1,000 nurses at Palmetto General Hospital, Coral Gables Hospital, and Florida Medical Center.

National Nurses United is the largest and fastest-growing union and professional association of registered nurses in the United States with more than 225,000 members nationwide. NNU affiliates include California Nurses Association/National Nurses Organizing Committee, DC Nurses Association, Michigan Nurses Association, Minnesota Nurses Association, and New York State Nurses Association.