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The Power of You

Union Members Elect New Leadership of Florida’s Largest Healthcare Union

Nurses, Certified Nurses Aides, Technicians, Housekeepers, Activities Assistants, Therapists, Pathologists, Clericals, Technologists, and Maintenance workers will lead SEIU Healthcare Florida


Leadership of the state’s largest healthcare union was elected in a union-wide vote by the members of SEIU Healthcare Florida. The results were certified by the union’s Election Board. Fifty-seven union members were elected by mail ballot to serve a three-year term on the Executive Board of SEIU Healthcare Florida. The Executive Board is the highest governing authority of the union.


The new Executive Board will be installed on April 15, 2008 at our Miami Lakes Union Headquarters.


Our New Leadership Team – Who We Are

The following members were elected to SEIU Healthcare Florida’s Executive Board:

President
Monica Russo, SEIU Healthcare Florida

Executive Vice President at Large
Stella Williams, SEIU Healthcare Florida

Executive Vice President Health Systems Division
Frank Genung, RN, St. Mary's Medical Center

Executive Vice President Long Term Care Division
Brenda Williams, Activity Assistant, The Nursing Center at University Village, Tampa

Executive Vice President Nurse Division
Betsy Marville, RN, St. Mary's Medical Center

Secretary-Treasurer
Dale Ewart, SEIU Healthcare Florida

Recording Secretary
Micheline Charles, CNA, Fountainhead Care Center

Vice President Health Systems Division
Eduardo Eguino, Surgical Technician, Kendall Regional Medical Center

Vice President Health Systems Division
Janelle Manigault, LPN, St. Petersburg General Hospital

Vice President Health Systems Division
Patricia Sheran-Diaz, LPN, University Hospital and Medical Center

Vice President Long Term Care Division
Pearl Gooden, CNA, Delta Health Care Center of Tampa

Vice President Long Term Care Division
Quettie Isoff, CNA, Palm Garden of West Palm Beach

Vice President Long Term Care Division
Cloreta Morgan, CNA, Unity Health & Rehab. Center

Executive Board - Health Systems (23 positions)

Executive Board - Health Systems Division
Phil King, Maintenance, St. Mary's Medical Center;

Executive Board - Health Systems Division
Gladys Agudelo, RN, Kendall Regional Medical Center

Executive Board - Health Systems Division
Michelle Fowler, Respiratory Tech II, University of Miami Hospital

Executive Board - Health Systems Division
Philistine Brown, Medical Assistant, St. Mary's Medical Center

Executive Board - Health Systems Division
Pecola Johnson, RN, North Shore Medical Center

Executive Board - Health Systems Division
Dawn Embden, RN, University of Miami Hospital

Executive Board - Health Systems Division
Cindy Draskovich-Henning, RN, St. Petersburg General Hospital

Executive Board - Health Systems Division
Joaquin Garcia, Radiology Technologist, Kendall Regional Medical Center

Executive Board - Health Systems Division
Claudette Glaudin, CNA, University of Miami Hospital

Executive Board - Health Systems Division
Bryan "Pat" Putman, Histology Aide, St. Petersburg General Hospital

Executive Board - Health Systems Division
Rita Plasencia, RN, Kendall Regional Medical Center

Executive Board - Health Systems Division
Cherryl Mandel-Obrien, RN, St. Mary's Medical Center

Executive Board - Health Systems Division
James Gould, CT Tech, Columbia Hospital

Executive Board - Health Systems Division
Jim O'Donnell, Speech Pathologist, Blake Medical Center

Executive Board - Health Systems Division
Alp A. Martin, EMT, North Shore Medical Center

Executive Board - Health Systems Division
Eliane Joseph, RN, Coral Gables Hospital;

Executive Board - Health Systems Division
Marla Novotny, RN, Northside Hospital

Executive Board - Health Systems Division
Paul J. Cinalli, Tech II-Health Information, St. Mary's Medical Center

Executive Board - Health Systems Division
Angel Ruiz, Mental Health Tech, University of Miami Hospital

Executive Board - Health Systems Division
Patricia Rodriguez-Larocca, RN, Kendall Regional Medical Center

Executive Board - Health Systems Division
Garoti Maria Nunez, Respiratory Therapist, Coral Gables Hospital

Executive Board - Health Systems Division
Debbie Riggel-Hershberger, Housekeeper, Blake Medical Center

Executive Board - Health Systems Division
Maria Bodre, Secretary, Coral Gables Hospital

Executive Board - Long Term Care Division
Monique Fucien, CNA, Treasure Isle Care Center

Executive Board - Long Term Care Division
Marie Cadet, CNA, Franco Nursing Home/Tandem

Executive Board - Long Term Care Division
Patricia Murphy, CNA, Miami Shores Nursing & Rehab. Center

Executive Board - Long Term Care Division
Rose Micheline St. Jean, CNA, Treasure Isle Care Center

Executive Board - Long Term Care Division
Blanche Norwood, CNA, Treasure Isle Care Center

Executive Board - Long Term Care Division
Jennifer Jackson, CNA, Hialeah Convalescent Home

Executive Board - Long Term Care Division
Pauline Grant-Clarke, CNA, Wilton Manor Health & Rehabilitation/Palm Court

Executive Board - Long Term Care Division
Anne Bellamy, CNA, Fountainhead Care Center

Executive Board - Long Term Care Division
Sandra Bryant, CNA, South Heritage Health & Rehab. Center

Executive Board - Long Term Care Division
Virginia Daniels, CNA, Apollo Health & Rehabilitation Center

Executive Board - Long Term Care Division
Venda Howard, CNA, Titusville Rehabilitation Nursing Center

Executive Board - Long Term Care Division
Sharon Tucker, CNA, The Palms Rehab. & Healthcare Center

Executive Board - Long Term Care Division
Joan Robinson, CNA, Healthcare & Rehabilitation Center of Sanford

Executive Board - Long Term Care Division
Yvena Madeus, CNA, Avante at Lake Worth

Executive Board - Long Term Care Division
Shirley Lyons, LPN The Nursing Center at University Village

Executive Board - Long Term Care Division
Jean Berg, CNA, Spring Hill Health & Rehab. Center

Executive Board - Long Term Care Division
Griselda Mata, CNA, Consulate Healthcare of Kissimmee/Tandem

Executive Board - Long Term Care Division
Kendra Gibbs, CNA, Grand Oaks Health & Rehab. Center

Executive Board - Long Term Care Division
Teresena "Terry" Robinson, CNA, North Rehab Center

Executive Board - Long Term Care Division
Linda Walker, CNA, The Inn and Nursing Center at La Posada

Executive Board - Long Term Care Division
Damaris Riviera-Morales, CNA, Rio Pinar Health Care





Democratic, Pro-Patient, Member-Driven Union

Union members also overwhelmingly approved our new constitution – written by union and for union members -- which will govern our organization. The constitution states that “The purpose of this union is to work to improve the lives of our members and their families by organizing and representing health care employees in Florida. By doing so, we can build industry power to more effectively improve the working conditions, standards and quality of life for healthcare workers and the quality of care for our patients, residents and clients.”


Power of You!

SEIU Healthcare Florida is the state’s largest healthcare union representing 16,000 nurses, hospital and nursing home workers at 100 facilities across the state.

Olga Lazarus

Union leader Olga Lazarus postpones retirement to fight for her co-workers at UM Hospital
Olga Lazarus
Olga Lazarus has worked in Food Services at the University of Miami Hospital (formerly HCA Cedars Medical Center) for 35 years. She plans to retire in February and move to Ocala, where the cost of living is lower, but she has a few things she needs to take care of before she leaves. Fortunately, she finished one of these projects - winning a Union contract for the Hospital's 1,000 employees - ahead of schedule. The other - winning a grievance that ends flexing in the Dietary department - is finally being reviewed after months of inaction.

In 1972, Olga started her career with the Hospital because it offered higher wages than she was making at the time. She started working in the coffee shop, than in the kitchen as a short-order cook, and for 32 years, as a cook. She said she was never inclined to be a nurse, but her job enabled her to gain some financial footing.

Olga Lazarus, Dietitic Assistant, University of Miami Hospital, Bargaining Committee Member and Union Steward

Olga knew from her childhood in Chile that Unions were good for employees. "My father in my country was president of a syndicato, he was a carpenter in a factory, and the workers in the factory elected him president. He was a good president, my mother had a fit because we were very young, and she was home alone with us," said Olga.

In 2004, Olga's life completely changed after she suffered a debilitating on-the-job injury. While at work in the kitchen, she fell, and completely tore her right arm. Because she was unable to lift more than 10 pounds, HCA demoted her to a dietetic assistant and she took a pay cut of $400 a month. It was then that she realized, after decades of commitment to her job and the Hospital, that the only ones who were going to look out for the best interest of the employees were the employees themselves, and that the Union was a vehicle for that change.

"One day my doctor said why didn't I join the union and be a leader because my father was a leader, but I was too shy," said Olga. But her friend and co-worker Amparo Miyares convinced Olga to use her voice to speak up for change. Amparo and Olga drove to bargaining sessions together laughing and sharing stories, filed grievances for their co-workers, and built a close friendship both cherish.

This spring, Olga will pass on her rolling suitcase which she carries to work to Amparo. In July, 100 UM employees will benefit from the increase of the minimum wage to $9.15 Olga helped negotiate in the contract. But mostly, she is looking forward to the day when workers receive the dignity and respect they deserve. "During our first negotiations with Cedars, they laughed at us. UM was more educated, more refined. But there's still resistance to accepting the Union. Managers still feel like we're at war," said Olga.

The only ingredient for change is for workers to believe they deserve dignity and respect, and stand up for themselves and for each other. "Employees should get together, and get informed. The boss will always be against anything that advantages you, so stand together," said Olga.