Winkler County Nurses Update (#1)
Original posts:
Nurses Fired & Face Charges & RN’s Indicted: Misuse of Official Information
I received a request for an update on the case of Vicki Galle, RN and Anne Mitchell, RN. I am happy to do so! However, rather than me re-write the outstanding work of the Texas Nurses Association’s close attention to this case, please follow the links below for truly excellent coverage:
Fighting Back! Winkler County Nurses File Suit in Federal Court
… gotta love it when the Good Guys get mad, then get tough and then decide to beat’em with their own stick.
When Ms. Galle and Ms. Mitchell were first indicted and arrested, the Texas Nurses Association established a Legal Defense Fund and opened it for donations. The Texas Nurses Association is matching every dollar donated by individuals (up to $5000).
Here’s the update on how that is going:
(This part makes me very, very proud of my profession and its professional organizations.)
The TNA Legal Defense Fund reached its initial goal of $10,000, and kept going. The mid-July-breaking story of two nurses criminally indicted in Winkler County, Texas for misuse of official information in advocating for patients, struck a chord with nurses across the country who sent donations to help with their legal defense. An initial distribution was made in Dec 2009 in the amount of $20,000. The breakdown of contributions thus far:
• 23 nursing & legal organizations have sent donations or in-kind services – 10 organizations in Texas; 13 from other state or national organizations.
• Over 438 individuals have contributed – 100 of those live in 36 states other than Texas.
Sending strength for the battle and a donation for the armor…
With love,
~ the Muse, RN
To donate - TNA Legal Defense Fund
To read a fully detailed (and awesome!!) description from a physician’s point of view, cruise over to my blog-friend Dr. David Gorski’s article: Nurses Face Jail Time for Reporting An Unethical Physician
__________
RN’s Indicted: Misuse of Official Information
See Next: Winkler County RN Update (#2)
I support these two RNs 100%! As a registered nurse practicing in the state of Texas for the last 15 years, I can say that Texas still believes in the ‘good-ole-boy’ network and it is evident when one reads the circumstances of this case. In the hospital setting, physicians rule and nurses are taught their job is to do what the physician says. Charge nurses, unit managers, directors, and administrators will always side with the physician and will typically “find” a reason to fire the nurse if a complaint is made……whether the complaint is legitimate or not. I commend these two ladies for having the professionalism, and the strength and stamina required to fight the entire state of Texas. Good luck and I support you all the way!!
Merlene, my husband is Ann’s attorney. I just read your comment to him and he wanted me to tell you THANK YOU! The trial starts Monday morning for Ann (Vicki’s charges were dropped last week). The New York Times wrote an article that came out online today at http://www.nytimes.com/2010/02/07/us/07nurses.html?ref=us.
Mindy,
Thanks so much for the article link! and please let your husband know we all hold him in high regard! He’s a hero in our books!!
the Muse, RN