From 1990 to 1997, Althea Elliott worked at least two jobs at a time and barely made enough money to house her family. Then the Jamaican-born immigrant landed an entry-level position at Beth Israel Hospital and became a member of 1199SEIU. She’s accomplished many things thanks to the benefits of her Union membership, including becoming a Registered Nurse (RN) and a U.S. citizen. Her training benefits paved the way for Althea to graduate from college, earn an advanced degree and rise through the ranks at Beth Israel, gaining the necessary experience to move up through a combination of coursework and practical application. In addition, she took advantage of our 1199SEIU Citizenship Program and officially fulfilled a lifelong dream when she was sworn in as a U.S. citizen last year.

The opportunities for growth in the healthcare field are expanding—and Althea fully intends to keep using her benefits as an avenue for achievement. “I could not have become a nurse in Jamaica,” she said. “I will be forever thankful to 1199SEIU and to all of our employers for recognizing what we have to offer and investing in our futures.”

As impressive as they are, her accomplishments may not have been possible without the preventive care Althea accessed through the years to help her stay well—and the acute care she received to treat both of her eyes. “I had to have bilateral cataract surgery and underwent my first operation about 10 years ago,” she said. “I had the second eye done last year, but because of my healthcare coverage, I didn’t have any worries.”