(GOUVERNEUR) – New York State Nurses United (NYSNA)-Represented Nurses in this Rural Upstate New York Village say the suspension of operations at E.J. Noble Hospital could be a “matter of life or death” for area Residents – and that they will work with Hospital Management and State Officials to keep it open.

Residents will have to drive more than 40 miles to get to the nearest Emergency Room, after the State Department of Health suspended operations at the Hospital on Friday, NYSNA Officials said.  NYSNA is already in touch with Local Legislators to offer the Union’s support and the 31 Unionized Nurses have also met with the Hospital Representatives to offer their assistance.  

"Our Community needs this Hospital," E.J. Noble Hospital RN Michelle Denault said. "Many Rural Hospitals are struggling and we need help from the State to keep providing care to our Community."

The Federal Government named E.J. Noble a Sole Community Provider in 1992, due to the fact that it is the only nearby Hospital in Gouverneur.  The Hospital has also received aid from the New York Economic Development Council to modernize its facilities.

NYSNA - The Voice For Nursing In The Empire State – represents more than 37,000 Members and is New York’s Largest Professional Association and Union for RNs.  NYSNA represents RNs and some All-Professional Bargaining Units in New York and New Jersey, and supports Nurses and Nursing Practice through Education, Research, Legislative Advocacy and Collective Bargaining.