By Melinda Carter
Radiology Technician
I work at Martin Luther King-MACC. I began my service there in 1985 in emergency radiology working the 4 p.m. to 12 a.m. shift. I did not know what I was in for or the challenges I would face, but after that first trauma patient rolled in, and we saved a life, I knew I was in the right place.
But there was a great injustice served to the community of South LA when King-Drew Medical Center was downsized and its trauma center closed.
I have dedicated myself to a career of service, as have my coworkers. Coworkers with whom I cried the day the hospital closed and workers were transferred to other facilities. We cried not so much because of lost friendships, but because we felt as though we were losing a chance to save lives.
Years ago I became a union steward. I began to learn more about the politics of it all. Things such as national health care reform and unionizing health care workers so we could all have a voice in patient care. Now I know for sure that no voices are louder than the employees who still work at King-MACC. We few who remain at King are totally committed. We are excited about the future and all the possibilities and the opportunities we have to move forward in a positive way.
We realize the need for quality health care where we live and work. We know our patients and neighbors deserve access to care. We are grateful and thankful for the chance to once again to serve and become the health care provider of choice for our community. We want to distinguish ourselves by exceeding all expectations.
We will do this in the honor of Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.