SEIU Healthcare Florida Local 1991 campaign tells the story of the 5,000+
nurses, doctors, and healthcare professionals on the frontline of COVID-19
As Florida reports record numbers of new coronavirus cases, SEIU Healthcare Florida Local 1991 (SEIU Local 1991), the nurses, doctors, and healthcare professionals union at Jackson Health System, calls on Miami-Dade leaders to support health care workers. The “Jackson Healthcare Heroes” campaign aims to bring attention to the lives and sacrifices of frontline workers in the most COVID-19-impacted county in Florida. The campaign includes videos of healthcare workers’ personal experiences and tributes by professional athletes including Miami Dolphins and Miami Marlins players.
The campaign also calls on the community to continue social distancing and following health protocols to prevent the spread of the disease.
Martha Baker, RN, president of SEIU Local 1991, said, “The nurses, doctors, and healthcare professionals at Jackson are working tirelessly to save lives and take care of those who are sick. They go to work every day despite fear for their own safety, and fear of bringing the virus home to their families. We are calling on everyone in this community to do their part so that we can keep doing our part.”
The campaign — launched on June 8 with the new site miahealthheroes.org — has already reached every corner of the community with 3.5 million impressions from over 800,000 residents.
Baker continued, “Our goal is to bring attention to what our nurses, doctors, and healthcare professionals see every day since our first COVID-19 patient. We want our family, friends, and the entire community to understand the real dangers of this virus, and to continue following safety guidelines to keep all of us safe. Together, we can make a difference and will get through this.”
SEIU Local 1991 is asking the community to visit miahealthheroes.org to say thank you or post a video on Facebook by tagging @miahealthheroes.
Testimonial campaign highlights include:
Daphne Stewart, a nurse at Jackson Hospital, talks about her first COVID-19 patient and remembers that day vividly: “I remember being there praying with him and him being by himself …and how important my role was at that time.” Daphne’s first COVID patient is someone she will never forget: “My first COVID patient died within four hours of being here.”
Martha Baker, RN, president of SEIU Local 1991, remembers one of their own who lost their battle with COVID: “She came to work every day to help patients and help coworkers, until she became a patient herself … and now she’s one of the 100,000.”
Jackson nurse Carol Robley sums up how it feels to be on the frontline: “You’re trying your best to help save them, but we felt helpless.”
About SEIU Healthcare Florida Local 1991
The mission of SEIU Healthcare Florida Local 1991 (SEIU Local 1991), representing the more than 5,000 nurses, physicians and healthcare professionals at Jackson Health System, is to provide the highest quality of patient care to all residents of Miami-Dade. We are a strong union built by strong members, working in close partnership with Jackson management to improve patient outcomes while keeping health care affordable. Through leadership development, our innovative partnership model, and negotiating on behalf of members, we are proud to deliver outstanding health care to all members of our community.
