Public Employee Press

Hospital worker Ben Stewart retires after 54 years on the job

Local 420 member Ben Stewart vaguely remembers some of the details of his arrival in New York City decades ago from his native Savannah, Georgia. “I think it was around 1941,” he said at his Sept. 25 retirement party at North Central Bronx Hospital.

Stewart retired after 54 years of service as a Nurse’s Aide and Operating Room Tech, so he’s more than earned the right to forget a few details. But there’s one thing he’s very clear about. When asked what he would miss most about the job, he didn’t miss a beat.

“The people,” said Stewart, who started as a Nurse’s Aide in 1953 when NCB was called Fordham Hospital. “There are a lot of great people that I’ve worked with here throughout the years. I’ll miss them the most.”

Master of ceremonies Andre Hernandez, a manager at the hospital, shared the same sentiment about Stewart. “His professionalism, respect for the patients and his co-workers, I can go on and on about what I’ll miss about Ben,” said Hernandez at the party.

A representative from the hospital staff gave Stewart a Certificate of Merit award from Bronx Borough President Adolfo Carrión. Officers of Municipal Hospital Employees Local 420 presented Stewart with gifts and a plaque honoring his long years of distinguished service.

“Ben Stewart exemplifies the values of our union and shows what our members are all about,” said Togba Porte, the 2nd vice president of Local 420. “Our members are the foundation of HHC because we are there to serve the community in their hour of need. We thank Mr. Stewart for representing us so well.”