Early union medical services, 1943.

ILGWU Health Center Report, 1943.

The first health center served all garment trade workers. Eventually the center relocated to the first floor of the Union's national Headquarters at 275 Seventh Avenue. It grew into a comprehensive enterprise, and continued to expand the range of services it provided.

The photo on the left shows a nurse taking blood from a patient/member in the 22nd floor laboratory. On the right, an ear, nose and throat specialist examines a patient. Other services included a health maintenance clinic, x-ray area and additional spaces for sonograms and cat scans. Patients received reports the same day. The Center was open on Saturday to accommodate those who could not come during the week.

Doctors provided specialized services in a range of areas including primary care, cardiology, gastroenterology, urology, obstetrics/gynecology, dermatology and general surgery.