The LHSFNA is proud to highlight the dedicated medical professionals who help make the health fair program possible. Their expertise and commitment ensure LIUNA members and their families receive valuable preventive screenings and vital health information.
Since 2022, Selina Bray, MSN, RN, PMH-BC, has been doing exactly that across New Jersey. For nurses like Selina, the opportunity to connect with participants and make a meaningful difference is what keeps her coming back year after year.
Selina’s journey into nursing and wellness was shaped by a profound childhood experience. In the late 1980s, her mother was diagnosed with HIV during an era defined by immense fear and social stigma. While many people kept their distance, a visiting nurse showed up for their family without fail. She treated Selina’s mother with dignity, compassion and entirely without judgment.
“Watching that as a child really shaped my understanding of what care should look like,” Selina recalls. “It showed me that health isn’t just about treating illness, it’s about supporting people as human beings, especially when they feel most vulnerable. That experience stayed with me… I want to be that kind of presence for others.”
That foundational empathy is precisely what she brings to LIUNA members today. Selina’s dedication extends far beyond standard nursing duties; she has become a pillar of health fairs in New Jersey.
Mike Caterina, Assistant Director of the New Jersey State Laborers’ Health and Safety Fund, refers to Selina as his “team captain.” Beyond her nursing duties, she manages the health fair schedule and oversees event staffing, even recruiting new team members who share her high standards for dependability.
Highly competent and endlessly reliable, Selina has earned the deep respect of everyone she works with. Both business agents and members frequently seek out and value her expert advice.
“Selina is passionate, professional and truly deserving of a spotlight,” Caterina shared. “Members value her longevity and expertise—they know they can always count on her.”
For Selina, the heartbeat of the health fairs lies in individual connections. Whether she is sharing positive results or navigating areas of concern, she treats every screening as an opportunity to connect, educate and encourage healthier choices.
Her proactive approach has already had a life-changing impact. On two separate occasions, Selina reviewed members’ fasting glucose results and earnestly encouraged them to seek further testing for diabetes. Both members later returned to thank her, admitting that without that conversation, they might never have gone to the doctor.
“Knowing I played a small role in helping them catch a serious condition early was incredibly meaningful,” she says.
Beyond the clinical logistics, Selina is deeply invested in the spirit of LIUNA. She remains continually inspired by the strong sense of solidarity among the membership—a unity that Caterina describes as powerful to witness. It is this blend of clinical excellence, leadership and genuine heart that makes Selina Bray an invaluable asset to the LIUNA community.
“I always emphasize nutritious eating. I enjoy talking about simple, healthier ways to prepare everyday meals, and I like to share recipes as well as lessons from my own journey with hypertension to help others make sustainable changes.”
When she isn’t serving LIUNA members, Selina is exploring the globe. She is an avid traveler who has already visited over 15 countries, with many more left on her bucket list!
[Natalie Kulick]
