Victory for Northern Chautauqua patients and healthcare advocates! After a seven-year long wait, New York state finally released the necessary funds to build a new modern Brooks Memorial Hospital in Dunkirk. Governor Kathy Hochul made the announcement on June 3 alongside NYSNA and 1199SEIU members.

The release of funds to build a new Brooks hospital not only ensures a building that will stand for many years to come but ensures high-quality care for rural communities in New York. 

NYSNA and 1199SEIU members launched The Build Brooks Now campaign to push for the release of new hospital funding that had been committed to the project years ago. Grassroots community efforts included a huge rally in front of Brooks hospital last October, as well as a community forum that urged the New York State Department of Health (DOH) to disperse funding. 

NYSNA and 1199SEIU members were also joined by officials and other labor and community organizations such as New York State Senator George Borrello, New York State Assembly Member Andy Goodell, Chautauqua County Legislators, Dunkirk Mayor Kate Wdowiasz, Fredonia Mayor Michael Ferguson, Dunkirk Central Labor Council, WNY Area Labor Federation, AFL-CIO, Chautauqua County Emergency Medical Services Council, and The Seneca Nation.

Throughout the campaign, nurses and healthcare workers emphasized that rural healthcare should not be valued less than healthcare anywhere else.

Check out press coverage of the announcement in the Buffalo News, The Observer, NBC News, WIVB4 News and ABC News, or watch the full press conference here.