Geisinger nurses shares stage with President Obama

Sept. 24, 2009, DANVILLE - Two Geisinger Medical Center nurses attended a press conference given by President Barack Obama on Sept. 10.

Sonia Reich, an adult intensive care nurse, and her husband Wayne Reich, a nurse in the cardiac intensive care unit, were present as the president addressed more than 150 members of the American Nurses Association (ANA).

Wayne Reich has been with Geisinger for nine months, and Sonia Reich for four years. Both were invited by the ANA to attend the press conference because of their duties as bedside nurses. Accompanying the ANA president and two other nurses on stage, Sonia Reich was one of four women to flank President Obama as he spoke to nurses and press.

“Being selected to attend the speech was an incredible opportunity,” Sonia Reich said.

Geisinger Chief Nursing Officer Sue Hallick said that the Reichs were well deserving of their invitations.

“Sonia and Wayne Reich represent the best of Geisinger by always offering the highest quality care to their patients,” said Hallick. “That emphasis and dedication to quality service made them outstanding choices to attend the president’s speech in Washington.”

The president’s address, which came the day after his televised speech to a joint session of Congress, expressed gratitude to the nurses, and thanked them for participating in the dialogue surrounding the healthcare debate.

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