There is something to be said about people who care for others' needs beyond their workplace. Most healthcare providers are honored to provide the care they give. They know their role in delivering quality care has a direct impact on their patients' lives. For some healthcare workers, providing this care isn't enough and they go beyond their call of duty.
This is particularly true of Rosita Chase, an ER Technician at St. Vincent's Hospital in Manhattan. Ms. Chase's career in healthcare began as a nurse assistant over 16 years ago. Inspired to expand her skills, she took advantage of the 1199SEIU Training and Upgrading program and became an ER technician six years ago. "I want the members to know whatever you want to do you can do it," she says.
In 2000, Ms. Chase established Balloons and You Group Family Day Care. Her desire to provide childcare began when she was working in the Pediatric ER unit. While walking past children with an IV cord in her hand, she saw the fear in their faces and it bothered her. She shared this experience with her co-workers, who encouraged her to start a family childcare group. "This gives me an opportunity care for their physical needs at the hospital as well as helping children learn while providing childcare," she says.
The childcare service was designed and created for infants, toddlers, preschoolers, after school and special needs children. The teaching technique is learning through play. She provides the service at her home in Bedford-Stuyvesant, Brooklyn. "You can do many things and at the same time help the community," says Chase.
