Vigil at Virginia Mason

Community members are invited to share frustration over closure of Virginia Mason Family Birth Center in Seattle

SEATTLE, WA (November 13, 2024) — Nurses at Virginia Mason Medical Center are holding a vigil on Thursday, November 14 to mourn the sudden closure of the medical center’s Family Birth Center for apparently financial reasons. 

The closure not only deprives the community of yet another birth center but it leaves dozens of labor and delivery nurses without good union jobs. Closure marks a dangerous trend in the consolidation of healthcare, where decisions are made without regards to the community, per the workers’ union, the Washington State Nurses Association, which represents 650 registered nurses in departments across Virginia Mason.

Photo: WSNA

Virginia Mason Medical Center merged with CHI-Franciscan to form Virginia Mason Franciscan Health, a subsidiary of CommonSpirit Health, a Catholic health system which owns 142 hospitals nationwide and is the largest not-for-profit hospital chain in the country.

Seattle is a booming city, and the loss of the Family Birth Center leaves locals with fewer options for care. Community members, pets, and all who share in the nurses’ anger, frustration, and sadness are invited to join the nurses at their vigil Thursday, warm up with some hot chocolate and coffee, and make their voices heard. 

TAKE A STAND: Join WSNA nurses for a vigil Thursday night. 

WHEN:
Thursday Nov. 14, 2024, 6:30 p.m.-8 p.m.; Speakers at 7 p.m.

WHERE:
Across from the main entrance to Virginia Mason Medical Center (1109 9th Ave. Seattle) on Seneca and Terry.

WSNA is the leading voice and advocate for nurses in Washington state, providing representation, education, and resources that allow nurses to reach their full professional potential and focus on caring for patients. WSNA represents more than 17,000 registered nurses for collective bargaining who provide care in hospitals, clinics, and community and public health settings across the state.