I walked over 300 miles from Buffalo to Albany to save our Hospitals
What was at stake? Our Community Hospitals were in jeopardy of closing in the fall of 2006 due to the recommendations of the infamous Berger Commission.
What I knew I had to do was not just for my own job of 23 years, but for all the workers at DeGraff Memorial, St. Josephs and Millard Fillmore Gates Hospital. Whether present, past or future… that have given so much to patient care over the years.
It was also the Community that had to be thought of, if their beloved Hospitals were to close. Where would they receive their treatment as efficiently & timely as they would at DeGraff, St. Joes or Gates?
The thought of a “Walk” was discussed by our then Staff Organizing Rep. Donna Stephannacci. Why not…they do it in colleges? But we are Not college age anymore we reminded Donna & others! And to make an impact across the state…we would have to perform this trek in January! Nonetheless, we knew that if we did nothing, what the end result would be at the hands of ill informed State leaders.
We embraced the 300 + mile walk to Albany with the idea we would, in the end, meet & formally talk to then Gov. Spitzer on the negative effects closing of hospitals throughout this state would have on patient services & ultimately care for many State residents.
Stopping at many hospitals & nursing facilities along the way, we met with the same concerns from administrators, caregivers, community leaders & patients alike. They all insisted their Hospital, mentioned in the Commission to close or be altered in some way, should remain open & that it served an important part of the areas need for patient care services.
Pat Sullivan
AVP Degraff TCCS