At 2025 1199SEIU Florida Delegate Assembly

Virginia Kondas, an Advanced Practice Registered Nurse (APRN) at UHealth Tower in Miami, recently earned the 1199SEIU Florida Spokesperson Of The Year award at our union’s 2025 Delegate Assembly in Clearwater.

A nurse for more than 30 years, Kondas was presented the award in front of a crowd of about 200 at the Clearwater Beach Marriott Resort where 1199SEIU delegates, officers and staff gathered to celebrate accomplishments for Florida union members in 2025 and strategize for 2026.   

Kondas earned the honors for her enthusiastic participation in communications initiatives that support 1199SEIU’s mission to improve the jobs and lives of healthcare workers, their families and communities.

These efforts included stepping up for interviews, editorials and providing quotes for news outlets, 1199SEIU news blog and other communication platforms; authoring editorials; serving as a panelist and speaker at press conferences, roundtables and other events with workers, 1199SEIU  officers, community leaders and elected officials including U.S. Senate Minority Leader Chuck  Schumer; and more.

In addition to her long career as a committed nursing professional, Kondas served 12 years as a member of the U.S. Army National Guard. She says it’s critical for 1199SEIU members to be “engaged and actively make our voices heard” especially at times like these when the administrations in Washington, D.C. and Tallahassee are taking away healthcare, basic rights and other essential needs for working families.

“Nobody is going to hand us anything, so it’s up to each of us to be aware and involved to make things better on the job and in our state and nation,” she says. “I appreciate these opportunities to make my voice heard on workplace issues, politics and anything that is important for the well-being of our families.”

“Virginia is an incredibly smart, strong and eloquent leader,” says DeQuasia Canales, Vice President of 1199SEIU Florida. “She’s a real talent and asset in her facility and in our union, and we’re very proud to recognize her as Spokesperson Of The Year.” 

 

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