DOCTORS COUNCIL SEIU ENDORSES LAURIE CUMBO FOR 35TH CITY COUNCIL DISTRICT

DOCTORS COUNCIL SEIU ENDORSES LAURIE CUMBO FOR 35TH CITY COUNCIL DISTRICT

Praises Cumbo as an Effective and Dynamic Leader and a Fighter for Quality Healthcare

(BROOKLYN, NY) – Today, Doctors Council SEIU, which is a subsidiary of the largest and fastest growing healthcare union in North America, announced its support for Laurie Cumbo, Democratic candidate for the 35th City Council District in Brooklyn. The District includes Clinton Hill, Fort Greene, and parts of Crown Heights, Prospect Heights, and Bedford Stuyvesant. This is the latest in a string of major endorsements for Cumbo, who continues to rack up tremendous support in her bid to become the next City Councilmember of the 35th District.

“I am humbled to have the support of Doctors Council,” Laurie Cumbo, candidate for the 35th City Council District said. “This organization represents the vital caregivers in our society who work to promote public health, prevent illness, and cure the sick in our communities. I will ensure that the healthcare professionals of this great city are treated fairly and afforded a working environment that is mutually beneficial to doctors and patients alike.”

“Doctors Council SEIU is happy to endorse Laurie Cumbo for New York City Council District 35. Now more than ever, in this difficult time of hospital closures, budget shortfalls and the impending changes under the Affordable Care Act, we need strong elected advocates for patients and healthcare providers,” Barry Liebowitz, M.D., President of Doctors Council SEIU said. “As the founder of Brooklyn's African American Arts Museum and a prominent neighborhood activist, Laurie has proven to be an effective and dynamic leader. We are confident she will bring new perspective and energy to the City Council.”

Doctors Council SEIU, a professional organization for doctors, is the nation's oldest and largest union of attending physicians and dentists in the United States, with approximately 3,000 members in New York City, and additional members in other states across the country. Formed in 1973, Doctors Council SEIU represents attending physicians and dentists at Health and Hospitals Corporation (HHC) facilities and hospitals, including doctors employed by the affiliates New York University School of Medicine, the Mount Sinai School of Medicine and the Physician Affiliate Group of New York (PAGNY). HHC is the largest public hospital system in the nation. Doctors Council SEIU also represents doctors in the New York City Mayoral agencies including the Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (DOHMH) as well as doctors working at Rikers Island, the largest correctional facility in the nation. Affiliated with SEIU, Doctors Council SEIU is a national union of both public and private doctors.

Cumbo is far outpacing her rivals in major endorsements including: NYCLASS, Progressive Alliance for Political Action, Transit Workers Union, United Federation of Teachers, 1199 SEIU, the Working Families Party, Lambda Independent Democrats of Brooklyn, SEIU 32BJ, Hotel and Motel Trades Council and the Steamfitters Local Union 638.