FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CONTACT: Rebecca Wakefield
Rebecca@seiu1991.org (305) 804-7051
Nurses, Doctors Take on Their Most Critical Case – Saving Jackson
Healthcare professionals have begun their own campaign for the public hospital, one that includes billboards, airplane banners, tele-town halls, radio ads and mailers.
MIAMI – The nurses, doctors and healthcare professionals at Jackson Health System, represented by SEIU Local 1991, have launched their own independent campaign in support of the $830 million bond to modernize the public hospital.
Healthcare professionals have donated their time to participate in phone banks, leafleting and radio spots that educate voters about the critical need for the bond. They have also paid for an aerial banner that has been flying over Hurricanes and Dolphins games, a billboard on the 836, and a series of mailers to voters. A tele-town hall with thousands of Miami-Dade voters is scheduled to occur during early voting, as well as an early voting kickoff celebration at Jackson on Oct. 21.
Election Day is Nov. 5. Early voting runs from Oct. 21 to Nov. 3.
“Jackson management has its own campaign for the bond,” acknowledged Martha Baker, RN, president of SEIU Local 1991, which represents a variety of healthcare professionals at Jackson. “But we felt it was important for the residents of Miami-Dade County to hear directly from the healthcare givers they know and trust. We care about our public hospital and want to see it growing and sustainable for our community’s children and grandchildren.”
On Sunday Oct. 20, a large group of nurses and doctors will be educating voters during tailgating at one of the most popular Dolphins games of the year – the sold out contest with the Buffalo Bills. A banner will fly overhead before the game and the group will pitch the bond from a special section inside the game. Interviews are available before the game.
On Monday, Oct. 21, Jackson employees will be sponsoring a lunchtime picnic and rally to urge people to get out and vote on important issues. After the picnic, nurses and doctors who are off duty will travel to the Stephen P. Clark Government Center to cast their ballots.
What: Early Voting Celebration and Picnic
When: Monday, Oct. 21, 12:30 – 1:30 p.m.
Where: Jackson Memorial Hospital
1611 NW 12th Ave Miami, FL 33136
[Alamo Park, in the center of the campus]
Visuals: Healthcare professionals and community members picnicking to get out the vote. Doctors, nurses and healthcare professionals casting their ballot on the first day of early voting.
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