North Brunswick – JNESO District Council 1, IUOE-AFL-CIO, recognized the support of a local lawmaker on health care issues, honored nurses for their dedication and service, and presented scholarships to students during their Convention “Healthcare in the 21st Century,” held in Atlantic City.

JNESO, is one of the largest health care unions in New Jersey representing some 5,000 nurses and technicians at facilities across New Jersey and Pennsylvania. The support of local lawmakers is critical to ensuring that issues and concerns of nurses and other health care professionals are taken into consideration when legislation is being created in the State.
JNESO recognized New Jersey Assemblyman and Majority Deputy Leader Thomas Giblin as the “2023 JNESO Public Servant of the Year.”

“Assemblyman Giblin has always been a strong advocate for labor unions and showed his mettle when he came out to the JNESO picket lines to support our members during the 32-day strike at St. Michael’s Medical Center last May,” said Elfrieda Johnson, President of JNESO. “We are proud to honor him with the award this year.”

JNESO also awarded three $1,000 scholarships based on academic achievement and potential, character, leadership, social awareness, and career goals.

Laura King Scholarship was awarded to Anira Thomas, of Sicklerville, N.J., who is an honors psychology and business administration student at Howard University in Washington D.C.

Barbara Crosby Scholarship was awarded to Amber Armitage, of Stroudsburg, Pa., a freshman double majoring in neuroscience and biology at the University of Scranton in Pennsylvania.

Virginia Spiegel Scholarship was awarded to Samantha Tew of Riverton, N.J. a JNESO member and NICU nurse at Virtua Hospital of Voorhees, N.J. who is pursuing a Master’s of Science in Nursing at Rowan University in Glassboro, N.J.

JNESO also presented awards to local unit leader volunteers who dedicate their precious free time to protect the health, safety and welfare of members at the workplace. These JNESO members were honored for their outstanding service and commitment.

Representative of the Year Award was presented to Annmarie Ruggiero of Mt. Pocono, Pa., President of JNESO local at Lehigh Valley Hospital – Pocono.

Steward of The Year Award was presented to Lisa Massa of East Stroudsburg, Pa., and Lory Martini of Saylorsburg, Pa., of the JNESO local at Lehigh Valley Hospital – Pocono.

Mother Jones Award was presented to Elfrieda Johnson of Union, N.J. who is President of JNESO and President of JNESO Local at Saint Michael’s Medical Center, Newark, N.J.

Unsung Heroes Award was presented to Florine Jones of North Plainfield, N.J., a JNESO Board Member and nurse at Hackensack University Medical Center.

Solidarity Award was presented to the JNESO local at Saint Michael’s Medical Center, Newark, N.J. for demonstrating unity, harmony, cohesion, shared aims, camaraderie and/ or team spirit as a group.

The Convention is part of JNESO’s ongoing commitment to making sure nurses have access to the latest information and training on important issues that can affect patients and the healthcare profession.