October 10, 2005, Burbank CA, After addressing the media at a press conference to announce John McCain’s assistance with campaigning for reform in CA, the Governor and Senator addressed GSG’s nurses.

The GSG nurses were gathered in the Hilton Hotel Convention Center in Burbank for their annual meeting when the Governor and Senator addressed the media in the next room. After the press conference, Schwarzenegger and McCain came next door to rousing applause from about 90 GSG nurses and executive staff.

Before he addressed the nurses, Schwarzenegger spent a few minutes meeting privately with Glenda Garrard and Maureen Stratton, nurses, and co-owners of GSG Associates.



“It was a very nice meeting. We were very pleased to have the governor visit us. We wanted him to know that in fact there are many nurses who support him. Further, we wanted him to know that the reforms he has helped enact in Workers’ Compensation are working,” Maureen Stratton, President and COO of GSG Associates pointed out, “it was also a special treat for our nurses to have the surprise visit.”

Glenda Garrard, CEO, added “GSG nurses help employers and insurers manage workers’ compensation costs taking a patient advocate approach and ensuring the injured workers receive the appropriate care at the appropriate time from the appropriate provider. The reforms in workers’ compensation have given us additional muscle in addressing inappropriate care, while ensuring the employees get the care they need, and can return to work as quickly as possible in an appropriate manner.”

Addressing the nurses, Schwarzenegger said that he "just wanted to drop by" their luncheon. "You all are doing a great job. I just think the world of what nurses do," Schwarzenegger said, adding that in the past 10 years he has had a heart operation, a hip "replacement" and work on his shoulder. "This is what happens when you are the Terminator," he said. "They switch body parts on you." He added to more applause: "Let me tell you, after the heart surgery, the doctors went home but the nurses stayed."

"I know they will make you think all the nurses hate me. It's obviously not true. ... But I feel very comfortable here."

Next up, John McCain addressed the group, saying "Americans are not happy today" and want reforms made to the political system. Approving Schwarzenegger's agenda would "send a message around America that reform is on the way." He said America has an urgent shortage of nurses. Schwarzenegger then spent the next few minutes going through the crowd of nurses, addressing them individually and thanking them for the warm reception.