AFT healthcare professionals answer the call to help Puerto Rico recover
More than two dozen AFT Nurses and Health Professionals members boarded a plane to Puerto Rico on Oct. 4 for a two-week volunteer stint to help the devastated island continue its slow recovery. The AFT members are traveling as part of a group of more than 300 skilled workers from AFL-CIO unions, who are all part of the labor humanitarian mission. They come from New Jersey, New York, Oregon and Vermont, and they range from younger professionals to those with decades of experience.
Here are comments from some of them. Watch for more detailed reports after they return from the mission. AFT President Randi Weingarten will be traveling to Puerto Rico to meet them later in October.
Team leader Alicia Schwartz, who was raised in Puerto Rico, is a registered nurse and a member of the United Federation of Teachers’ Federation of Nurses.
“I was looking for a way to get into Puerto Rico so I can help because I’m a nurse — I know I could be out there in the community helping others and getting them together.”
“I just can’t wait to go there. I’ve seen pictures, so I’m prepared to see what is on that poor island right now. But I know that we can fix things. I know we can make an impact.”
Deputy team leader Tammie Tally-Ingrao is a registered nurse in Oregon and a member of the Oregon Federation of Nurses and Health Professionals with more than 30 years of experience, including after many natural disasters.
“When I’ve seen devastation in the past, the people who jump in first to rebuild are union workers.”
“I think, medically speaking, it’s going to be a huge thing for us to go in there and coordinate an effort and just do minor things you don’t think about: They haven’t had their diabetic medicine. They haven’t had antibiotics for infections they had before the hurricane. Moms are still having babies. And then the tradesmen are coming in too, and I think that’s fantastic because roads are going to get cleared off. Trucks are going to start moving out. Buildings are going to be taken down so that we can start rebuilding again.”
Jose Dejesus, a Puerto Rican native, is a registered nurse in New Jersey and a member of the Health Professionals and Allied Employees.
“As I sat home in comfort, I knew that family members were going through a hard time. I didn’t want to give money because sometimes monetary donations don’t make it to the people directly, so I wanted to serve in a medical capacity.”
“I’ve done relief work before but nothing on the scale of a disaster like this. We were told conditions would be primitive, so I don’t expect comfort for myself, but that is so little compared to what the people in Puerto Rico are going through. I’m looking forward to being able to help.”
Justin Farrier is a peri-operative registered nurse at Upstate Medical University in Syracuse and a member of the New York State Public Employees Federation.
“I just saw the opportunity and wanted to help out, and the best way that I could do that is to be at the forefront of the situation.”
“ I love to help those that cannot take care of themselves and get them back up on their feet. I pour my heart into my job although not easy at times, that is what makes me stronger.”
Bita Mehrjou is an emergency room/trauma nurse in Brooklyn, N.Y., and a member of the United Federation of Teachers’ Federation of Nurses.
“I became a nurse in my mid-20s with the dream of volunteering abroad in a Spanish-speaking country, and now that dream is becoming a reality. I am not afraid to get my hands dirty and do what needs to get done to get our fellow Americans in Puerto Rico back up to speed and to try to lift their spirits while doing so. I am eager and excited to get on the ground.”
Llamara Padro-Milano is a 40-year veteran nurse in Syracuse, N.Y., and a member of the New York State Public Employees Federation.
“I did not hesitate to volunteer for this humanitarian mission. I was born in Santurce, Puerto Rico. My family is there, and they suffered through the worst of it. Thank God they are OK. This is my opportunity to give back to the people and the island I love with the hands and heart of a nurse. Soy Boriqua de corazón.”
Misty Richards is a critical care nurse in Portland, Ore., and a member of the Oregon Federation of Nurses and Health Professionals.
“I’m not above or beneath doing anything. I think that’s the great thing about nurses. We do work with our hearts. And our brains. So we want to touch people, care for people, use our brains and help heal people.”
“I don’t have the words to tell you how I feel about this. I mean I’ll start tearing up because I’m so grateful for the opportunity.”
Patsy Trowbridge is a medical surgical nurse on Long Island and a member of the New York State Public Employees Federation.
“I never thought about doing anything like this, but when I received an inspiring email from my union president, I thought, wow. It felt so powerful.”
“I feel proud to be a part of this, that they accepted me, and that our union is doing something like this.”
Maureen Upton is a nurse practitioner and member of the Oregon Federation of Nurses and Health Professionals.
“During a time when our country is so polarized and angry, it feels necessary to find meaningful ways to act on a human level. I want to be part of something that might make America love again.”
Susan Williams is a registered nurse in Western New York and a member of the New York State Public Employees Federation.
“I’m excited and nervous. I can’t wait to get out there and see what they have me doing.”
“Imagine the patients even in the hospital, let alone in the outlying areas, who didn’t even have access to healthcare on a daily basis before the storm. I just want to be able to help where it’s needed, whether it be a hospital or a clinic in the middle of nowhere.”
