Spotlight on Your Funds

December 2023

The Benefit Funds Launch Health Is the Key Podcast to Support Members 

The Benefit Funds have introduced their Health Is the Key podcast, designed to provide members with information, support and inspiration on their health journeys. As outlined in the Benefit Funds’ Healthy Living initiative, health is key to empowering members to live their best lives. To that end, the podcast will feature conversations with expert healthcare providers and leaders from 1199SEIU institutions, exploring topics found in the online Healthy Living Resource Center and beyond. Upcoming guests include Executive Director Dr. Donna Rey, Chief Medical Officer Dr. Van H. Dunn and the Benefit Funds’ own dedicated WeightWatchers® coach Angelica McQuade, among others. Visit Health Is the Key to tune in and subscribe.

Members’ Voices Headline the Benefit Funds’ 2024 Member Calendar

The Benefit Funds will soon release their 2024 member calendar. This year’s calendar features participants from the weekly Members’ Voices video series, which showcases members who are balancing caring for their residents with staying healthy themselves. Each member’s calendar page includes a QR code that links to their Members’ Voices video, where they share why they began their health journey and offer advice on getting and staying healthy. The calendar also includes healthy living information, resources and tips. The Benefit Funds will mail the calendar to Delegates and to members who participated in wellness programs in 2023. Members may request a calendar by visiting the Benefit Funds website.

Open Enrollment for Spousal Health Coverage Begins January 1

The open enrollment period for your 1199SEIU members to sign up their spouses for the Greater New York Benefit Fund health plan runs from January 1 through January 31, for coverage beginning March 1, 2024. To enroll a spouse, members must submit a completed Spouse Coverage and Payroll Deduction Authorization Form to their employer by February 1, authorizing premium deductions from their paycheck. Your 1199SEIU members and their dependent children up to age 26 are still eligible for coverage, with no premium, whether or not the member’s spouse is enrolled. Members may call the Member Services Department at (646) 473-9200 with any questions.

The Child Care Corporation Hosts Another Successful Care For Kids Gala

On Tuesday, November 14, the 1199SEIU/Employer Child Care Corporation (CCC) held its 16th annual Care For Kids Gala, honoring individuals and organizations committed to supporting children and their families, at The Current, Pier 59 at Chelsea Piers. The theme of this year’s gala, attended by some 250 people, was “Empowering Families, One Generation at a Time.” Nadine Williamson, Executive Vice President of 1199SEIU United Healthcare Workers East, chaired this year’s event. George Gresham, President of 1199SEIU United Healthcare Workers East, and Marc Z. Kramer, President of the League of Voluntary Hospitals and Homes of New York, served as honorary chairs. This year’s honorees were Chancellor Félix V. Matos Rodríguez of the City University of New York, and the Harlem School of the Arts–The Herb Alpert Center, whose students entertained attendees with a performance. Two-time Emmy Award-winning journalist Edric A. Robinson II was the master of ceremonies.  

 

Since 2006, the Care For Kids Gala has raised funds to support CCC programs and honored those individuals and organizations whose work demonstrates a commitment to children and families. For three decades, the CCC and Child Care Funds have provided more than 400,000 children of 1199SEIU members and the community at large with access to early-childhood education, summer day and sleep-away camps, internships, mentoring, college scholarships and other programs. For more information on the CCC, visit www.ChildCareCorp.org.

The Institute for Continuing Education Presents Upcoming Programs

The 1199SEIU Greater New York Education Fund strengthens the healthcare delivery system by offering 1199SEIU members training and education programs designed to help improve patient outcomes and provide quality care. Please share these opportunities with members at your facility.


The schedule is also available on the program calendar.


Opioids: CANVAS Chronic Pain

Sunday, December 3 

8:45 am to 4:30 pm 

This six-hour interprofessional symposium will focus on opioid addiction and co-occurring disorders, medications for opioid use disorder, privacy issues in addiction treatment, the challenges of relapsing, and health services for substance use disorders during and after pregnancy.


For more information, visit the Institute for Continuing Education’s web page, call (212) 894-4390 or email [email protected].

Meet Our Featured Member

Sharese Welch from NYU Tisch Hospital


Why did Sharese Welch begin her health journey?

See her story on page 10!

Is there anyone else at your organization who should receive this newsletter?

Please email [email protected] to add them to our distribution list.


1199SEIU Funds News is a monthly email produced by the 1199SEIU Funds. Copyright 2023.

For further information, contact the Communications Office at [email protected].

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