Aloha from Hawai’i

Jeff McDonald of the Union Coalition with our roving UBT experts--in shorts!

That’s right—Hawai’i! We were in Honolulu in July to launch the LMP training and education for the newest partner union,  the Hawai’i Nurses’ Association (HNA), along with managers and physicians in the region. We arrived to HEAT and HUMIDITY! (Maybe flying from Denver, the Mile-High city, down to sea-level had something to do with it.)

We had three full days at the Moanalua Medical Center thanks to Janet Liang, president of the Hawai’i Region, and her team. One day was dedicated to presentations and meetings, the next two days, including Saturday, were for training. Two Colorado trainers joined with trainers from LMP Education to deliver a crash course in UBTs and partnership.

In two days they ran through UBT member training (for both union and management), Co-Lead training, RIM+ and various team-building exercises.  Top leaders showed their commitment. Susan French, the labor relations specialist for HNA, and Suzann Filleul, KP regional nurse executive, attended both days. Chief Operating Officer Leanne Hunstock attended a day of presentations, as did Patt Gibbs, executive director of HNA.

The nurses and managers were engaged, involved, interested, interesting, inquisitive, serious, funny, and when all is said and done, a delight to be with.  We’d like to thank the entire team for their hospitality and friendship during our short stay.  We were made to feel at home in every setting.  We can’t wait to go back…any volunteers?  (By the way, the weather was fantastic the rest of the week.)