Nurses at Virginia Mason holding a vigil to protest closure of Family Birth Center
(TUKWILA, Nov. 11, 2024) -- Nurses at Virginia Mason Medical Center are holding a vigil Nov. 14 to mourn the sudden closure of its Family Birth Center for apparently financial reasons.
The closure not only deprives the community of yet another birth center but it leaves dozens of labor and delivery nurses without good union jobs. The closure marks a dangerous trend in the consolidation of healthcare, where decisions are made without regards to the community.
Virginia Mason Medical Center merged with CHI-Franciscan to form Virginia Mason Franciscan Health, a subsidiary of CommonSpirit Health, a Catholic health system which owns 142 hospitals nationwide and is the largest not-for-profit hospital chain in the country.
Community members, pets, and all who share in the nurses’ anger, frustration, and sadness are welcome. Hot cocoa and coffee will be offered.
The 650 registered nurses at Virginia Mason are represented by the Washington State Nurses Association.
WHEN:
Thursday Nov. 14, 2024, 6:30 p.m.-8 p.m.; Speakers at 7 p.m.
WHERE:
Across from the main entrance to Virginia Mason Medical Center (1109 9th Ave. Seattle) on Seneca and Terry.
CONTACTS:
Bobbi Nodell, bnodell@wsna.org, 206-639-1708 Ruth Schubert, rschubert@wsna.org, 206-713-7884
About WSNA
WSNA is the leading voice and advocate for nurses in Washington state, providing representation, education, and resources that allow nurses to reach their full professional
potential and focus on caring for patients. WSNA represents more than 17,000 registered nurses for collective bargaining who provide care in hospitals, clinics, and community and public health settings across the state.