Page 15 - Work Force June 2025

CSEA members at nursing
facility save visitor’s life
OLEAN — What started as a normal
to the facility to thank the team for
day at Cattaraugus County’s Pines
saving his life.
Healthcare and Rehabilitation Center
Among those involved were CSEA
quickly turned into a life-threatening
members April Crisafulli, in-service
emergency that tested the skill,
coordinator; Brandi Ferris, licensed
training and teamwork of several
practical nurse supervisor; Autumn
CSEA-represented employees.
Benson, licensed practical nurse and
Recently, a facility visitor who
Atiya Milliner, head nurse.
was there to see his father-in-law
One team member managed the
suddenly suffered a heart attack.
code while another comforted the
Staff immediately sprang into
man’s wife during the crisis.
action. Assistant Director of Nursing
“They called code blue, we were
Stacy Allen initiated CPR while
going to grab the crash cart and
others called 911 and retrieved the
Stacy had started compressions, so
AED.
it was a very quick response and that
CPR continued for approximately
is what we are trained to do.” said
12 minutes, with team members
Crisafulli.
alternating to combat fatigue.
The staff emphasized the
The AED was used during the
importance of regular CPR and
resuscitation effort, and the
AED training, which is conducted
individual regained color and
quarterly at the facility. All nurses
consciousness before being
are required to maintain CPR
transported by EMTs.
certification, and mock drills are held
Just days later, the man returned
to reinforce response skills.
From left, CSEA members employed at Cattaraugus County Pines
Healthcare and Rehabilitation Center Anna Newark, April Crisafulli,
Brandi Ferris, Jennifer Childs, Autumn Benson and Atiya Milliner.
Following the incident, a
debriefing session was held to
support staff emotionally.
“You’re in the trenches and
[sometimes] you have no support, so
to be here, we had all these people
around for support, it was amazing.”
said Milliner.
“I think we were all really proud of
each other,” said Crisafulli.
The workers’ swift response
reflects not only their individual
skill and dedication, but also the
collective strength that comes from
a well-trained and well-supported
workforce.
“Our union is exceptionally proud
of the outstanding professionalism,
preparedness and teamwork
demonstrated by members during
this life-saving event,” said Western
Region President Steve Healy.
“This incident serves as a powerful
reminder of the critical importance
of investing in employee training,
workplace safety, and union
advocacy.”
— Sara McNicholas
Ali Cottrell, PEOPLE recruiter of the month
Celebrate Pride
June is Pride Month. Our union strongly supports the
LGBTQ+ community, including many CSEA members. Our
union will participate in Pride events across the state in
upcoming months; events are listed below. We encourage you
to join in a Pride event in your area.
Metropolitan Region:
June 28: Youth Pride, Manhattan
June 29: Pride Parade, Manhattan
Capital Region:
June 8: Pride Parade, Albany
June 11: Pride Night at the Plaza, Albany
Central Region:
June 21: Pride Parade, Syracuse
Western Region:
June 1: Pride Parade, Buffalo
July 13: Pride Picnic, Rochester
July 19: Pride Parade, Rochester
SYRACUSE — Ali
Cottrell of the
SUNY Upstate
Medical Hospital
Local in the
Central Region
is the PEOPLE
Recruiter of the
Month for April,
recruiting 31
Cottrell
new PEOPLE
members.
“It’s important to make sure
we have a strong and well-funded
PEOPLE program to fight back
when there are threats of cuts
to crucial federal programs like
Social Security, Medicare, and
Medicaid,” said Cottrell. “A third
of our hospital’s budget is directly
funded through Medicaid. We can’t
risk these cuts to our health care
system.”
CSEA’s PEOPLE program
protects and improves our
jobs, benefits, and pensions
in Washington, Albany, and in
your community. Your support
and participation in PEOPLE
strengthens CSEA’s clout in the
workplace, in the legislature, in
your community, and in the labor
movement.
— Nicholas Newcomb
This Week This Week
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Sign up at cseany.org/twia cseany.org/twia
16 The Work Force June 2025