SUNY Downstate Medical Center in Brooklyn, N.Y., not only provides vital health care services to residents of New York City’s most populous borough—regardless of income or insurance status—but also sheltered and cared for patients from other hospitals and nursing homes that were forced to shut down as Hurricane Sandy tore through the area.

Yesterday, hundreds of workers and community and faith allies rallied in Albany, urging lawmakers to turn back moves to downsize and privatize SUNY Downstate.

Michael Lisi is the winner of the 2011 Max Steinbock Award, the highest honor given by the International Labor Communications Association (ILCA). Lisi, who writes for the United University Professions’ (UUP) “The Voice,” won for his story “Speaking Up for SUNY.”