United Nurses’ Elect New President at 34th Convention

November 2010

Southern California – The United Nurses Associations of California/Union of Health Care Professionals (UNAC/UHCP), which represents a significant population of Filipino Registered Nurses and other health care professionals, held its 34th Convention at Planet Hollywood in Las Vegas, Nevada from November 7 through 10.

“We are a diverse union and it is through that diversity that we are best able to meet the needs of the communities our members serve and live in,” stated Kathy J. Sackman, long time president and UNAC/UHCP founder.

With Sackman set to retire at the end of this year, the election for her successor took place at this year’s convention. UNAC/UHCP Executive Vice President Ken Deitz was elected to serve as the organization’s President effective January 1, 2011. Deitz has been a key member of the UNAC/UHCP leadership team for over two decades, and a negotiator in almost every organization contract during the last 15 years.

The three-day Convention consisted of continuing education courses for UNAC/UHCP members, union updates and reports, and opportunities for health care professionals to network.

“I am confident that this union will continue to do great things for our members,” commented Sackman.

UNAC/UHCP has previously collaborated with the Philippine Nurses Association to cosponsor nursing conferences throughout Southern California, and is dedicating resources and encouraging members and staff to become actively involved in the Filipino American Health Workers’ Association, which is conducting medical missions in the Philippines where there is a shortage of nurses and doctors.

# # #

The United Nurses Associations of California/Union of Health Care Professionals is the largest nurses union in Southern California and represents registered nurses and other health care professionals. UNAC/UHCP, as the association is known, is affiliated with the National Union of Hospital and Health Care Employees and the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees, AFL-CIO. For more information on UNAC/UHCP, visit www.unacuhcp.org.