LICH housestaff presenting their petition on October 16, 2008
Despite being a well-used and well-regarded community hospital, the Manhattan-based management of Brooklyn’s Long Island College Hospital (LICH) planned to close down multiple programs and sell off some of the hospital’s buildings. On December 10, 2008, LICH interns and residents responded by voting to join the Committee of Interns and Residents, coming together in a unanimous vote to have a voice in their hospital and on behalf of their patients.
The vote to join CIR, the largest housestaff union in the country, caps months of effort by the housestaff. Throughout the fall, the LICH interns and residents, along with CIR staff, testified at hearings at Community Board 6 and at a public forum for Brooklyn Borough President Marty Markowitz, and met directly with State Senator-elect Daniel Squadron in an effort to prevent what would be devastating closures to the hospital’s obstetrics, neonatal and pediatrics departments.
On October 16, 2008, a group of 15 residents brought a petition with the signatures of 90% of the 220 residents into the office of the new CEO of Long Island College Hospital, in Brooklyn, NY. Their petition stated, “We are seeking to improve our lives and the lives of our patients, and are ready to have a voice with CIR.” Good news came on November 18th, when the State Department of Health denied management’s request to end obstetrics, neonatal and pediatric services at LICH.
The National Labor Relations Board scheduled the election for LICH residents for December 10. The results were overwhelming. Of the 130 doctors eligible to vote, 103 voted in favor, 0 opposed, and 5 additional yes votes were challenged by hospital administration.
The election behind them, LICH residents are looking towards next steps to preserve the hospital and their programs.
Dr. Lilliam Villafredez, a PGY 2 in Internal Medicine, said, “I was part of a CIR union chapter in Miami, and it definitely makes a difference. It’s our right as residents to have a voice.”
Dr. Kyu Oh, a PGY 2 in Radiology, said, “With all of the changes in the hospital, residents need a voice in determining what is going to happen to our training programs.”
CIR will continue to work with and win union representation for the remaining 90 residents, who are paid by LICH but mostly working at other hospitals. Resident physicians at LICH, together with CIR will also work with the community to ensure that vital programs continue to remain open.