121RN Nurses Travel to Haiti to Help

SEIU Local 121RN member Andrea Caldentey flew to Haiti in February to help earthquake survivors, along with 11 others from the Los Angeles area. The group was sponsored by Medical Mission Adventures which is headed by St. Joseph respiratory therapist Louis Rosado.

Caldentey works at Providence St. Joseph Medical Center, and is also on the Medical Mission Adventures board of directors along with her husband, Juan. Caldentey reported her group was taking down $3,500 worth of medicine and supplies, including antibiotics, wound care ointment and bandages, and pain relievers.

“On my floor alone, we have an environmental services worker who’s Haitian and she lost two cousins,” Caldentey said. “It’s a horrible disaster. She’s an amazing person and I’m just overwhelmed with the way people are able to overcome and rise above tragedy.”

Caldentey was the second nurse from Local 121RN to go to Haiti. Northridge RN Kim Bingaman had already gone Jan. 25 to help with relief efforts. Both members plan to share their experiences with Local 121RN members. The Nurse Alliance is proud of their strong actions in response to the disaster. Look to www.nurseallianceca.org for links to more information about their trips.