Lorita Waltz

Registered Nurse / Laurel Regional Hospital / Laurel, MD

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Lorita Waltz was born in Washington, DC, and now lives in suburban Maryland. A Registered Nurse at Laurel Regional Hospital (MD), Lorita may not have moved far from where she started, but she has grown. She has been a Medical/Surgical RN for almost 16 of her 17 years with Dimensions.

She transferred to the OCFP in 1998, a year after the birth of her third child. A wife and mother of two teenage daughters and a 9-year-old son, Lorita has always been active in her profession and in her Union, 1199SEIU. She has served on several committees within the Union and in the hospital system. She has been a Union officer since 2002 and an advocate since 1994. Each time she thinks of stepping back (her children come first), something occurs and she feels compelled to continue on a little longer.

“I recently attended the Delegates’ training class,” she says “and my knowledge of Unions in general and 1199SEIU in particular, have increased. The struggle started decades ago and continues today. I’m becoming more confident in the grievance process and have gained the respect of my fellow members due to my representing them.” In 2006 she helped two fellow RN’s win their grievances

“Being a part of the Union, I have grown as a nurse and a leader,” she says. “I appreciate the general support the Union affords me as member. I never ask what is the Union is doing for me. I am the Union and I help myself and others by being and staying involved.”