Workers at Howard University Hospital will rally to “Save The Hospital” this Saturday at 11a (see Calendar). Recent layoffs have the workers and their unions worried about the hospital’s future. “If we don’t fix this problem, Howard will be forced to have more layoffs until the hospital finally closes,” says Wanda Shelton-Martin, Area Director for Metro District 1199 DC, NUHHCE, AFSCME. “This happened at DC General Hospital just a few years ago.” Shelton-Martin notes that Howard University Hospital, previously known as Freedmen's Hospital, “is a historical institution” and “has served the black community in the District of Columbia for over 150 years, having been established in 1862 to cater for the medical needs of the thousands of African Americans who came to Washington during the Civil War, seeking their freedom.” The first hospital of its kind to provide medical treatment for former slaves, Howard later became the major hospital for the area's African-American community and is one of the largest employers in the Shaw community. “Our message is that Howard is open for business,” says Shelton-Martin. “Our members are ready to serve the patients and we take pride in working at Howard.” 1199 president Henry Nicholas is bringing two busloads of supporters from Philadelphia. In addition to 1199 NUHHCE, workers are represented by the DC Nurses Association and SEIU’s Interns and Residents.