NYSNA in Buffalo: We're Here to Stay!

NYSNA members in Western New York have a new headquarters in the heart of downtown Buffalo. The office, located on the third floor of 617 Main Street, is centrally located and aims to be a hub for nurses and our community and political allies.

On the evening of December 9, NYSNA hosted an open house where members from Erie County Medical Center, Erie County Health Department, Terrace View Long Term Care, Brooks Memorial Hospital, and Olean General Hospital welcomed state and local elected leaders who support issues important to nurses and patients. Among them were NYS Senator Bill Perkins; Assemblyman and Health Committee Chair Richard Gottfried; and from Erie County, County Executive Mark Poloncarz, Labor Relations Commissioner Steve Miller, and Personnel Commissioner Dave Palmer. The packed room also included labor allies from 1199SEIU, CSEA, CWA, AFL-CIO, WNYCOSH, USCW, UUP, the Coalition for Economic Justice, and Open Buffalo joined the party.

A great occasion to celebrate!

Over the course of evening, members had the opportunity to personally thank Council Member Ulysees Wingo, Sr., for his support of the Buffalo Common Council’s recent vote on a resolution urging the NYS Legislature to pass the Safe Staffing for Quality Care Act. As reported in the November issue of New York Nurse, Buffalo is one of four Erie County municipalities that recently passed safe staffing resolutions.

NYSNA Executive Director Jill Furillo, RN, was on hand to deliver the welcome message: “There is truly a revolution happening in Western New York. NYSNA nurses are excited to collaborate with our community leaders who are tuned into the urgency of advocating for safe patient care — and it all starts with this office.”

NYSNA’s commitment to the new Buffalo office signifies an amplified NYSNA presence and acknowledgment of Western New York members organizing for change. One such group that has already signed up to use the new location is WNY Civic Action Team (CAT), a newly-created NYSNA member group established to focus on ways for nurses to increase civic engagement and become more involved with Western NY’s political and legislative landscape.

All members are welcome to stop by when in the area!