More than 1,200 people have signed an open letter asking the UPMC Magee-Womens Hospital Board of Directors to allow nurses, patients and community members to address board members in person during the hospital's annual meeting on Oct. 12.
The request comes from a coalition of elected officials, patients, nurses and advanced practitioners who want an opportunity to discuss staffing levels, nurse retention and labor negotiations, according to a community announcement.
Supporters delivered the letter to board members by certified mail and email, arguing that the hospital's continued use of virtual annual meetings limits public participation and reduces accountability. The coalition said the online format gives organizers control over who can be seen
and heard during meetings while creating barriers between the board and the community it serves.
Courtney Szigety, a member of the UPMC Magee nurses union, said meeting face-to-face would allow board members to better understand the people affected by their decisions.
"I feel like in person is where you can really convey emotion and really put ... a person, a real living person, to the names and faces. ... We're not just a number or a signature on a letter, you know, we are real people," Szigety said.
Former Magee patient Isabelle Cajka said a virtual format may prevent nurses and patients from having meaningful conversations with hospital leaders.
"I just don't think keeping these meetings virtual will allow the nurses to be heard. I think it'll check a checklist and ... let them say that they have heard the nurses, but I don't think it will actually allow them to hear these people," Cajka said.
The coalition says nurses began contract negotiations with UPMC in January and are seeking national staffing standards and compensation improvements to help retain experienced caregivers. Supporters also point to Allegheny County's maternal and infant health challenges as a reason for greater engagement between hospital leadership, nurses and patients.
The board has not publicly responded to the coalition's request.
This story was produced by reporter Gabby Sartori, [gsartori@usatodayco.com], with the assistance of Artificial Intelligence (AI). Journalists were involved in every step of the review, editing and publishing process. Learn more at cm.usatoday.com/ethical-conduct.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Nurses, patients ask Magee board for in-person annual meeting
