Second opinion
Cy Anderson, M.D., Medical Arts Clinic, Emporia
Originally published 01:16 p.m., April 29, 2008
Updated 01:16 p.m., April 29, 2008
As an internal medicine physician who has practiced in Emporia and at Newman Regional Health (NRH) for nearly 10 years I feel obliged to respond to the article, “Doctor Criticizes Hospital,” published on Friday. Jim Barnett’s opinions regarding NRH’s administration are not shared by me, and I doubt they are shared by many members of NRH’s medical staff.
Actually, I have been impressed with the ease of communication with administration in committee meetings and any time I have specific concerns. I’ve never felt my relationship with “upper-level management” to be “adversarial” or “antagonistic.”
I believe NRH’s No. 1 goal is taking good care of patients, as it should be. Patient safety is the major component of this, and it is constantly being addressed and monitored at the hospital. If I felt NRH was not a safe place for patients, I certainly wouldn’t put them at risk by admitting them here.
I hope your readers feel confident that all members of our hospital, including the board, administration, medical staff, and all employees, work together to provide them with quality health care.
zander (anonymous) says...
Dr Anderson is one of the best doctors in town. He works hard to provide the best care possible and is very dedicated to his family, patients and the community. He is human and doesn't know all the answers just like anyone else in any profession. He does give his very best and is not afraid to send patients on to a specialty facility if need be. Newman's is not a trauma 1 hospital so sometimes it is necessary to send patients on to get specialized care in another city and that is okay. There are so many variables involving the body and illnesses that it is okay for the doctors to recommend a transfer. Everywhere you go there are always people and situations that will make others angry or extremely happy. Let us all continue to ask questions and work together so we can improve our little community, our state and our country!
April 29, 2008 at 11:59 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
create (anonymous) says...
Thank you, Dr. Anderson, for coming forward.
There has to be more than one side to an issue and this response from Dr. Anderson not only proves it, but offers some confidence in our little hospital too. I hope we hear from more medical professionals, no matter what side of the issue they take.
I agree with Zander that we need to continue to ask questions and work together to improve our community. Our hospital is one of our most important features, and we need to be concerned about not only keeping it up-do-date, but keeping those professionals who work there content with the entire system. If there is a problem, then we must strive to ferret it out.
Yes, not all of the people will be happy with NRH; that's the nature of any condition. Many have said they will never go there. Fine. Somehow, I think gasping for breath and grabbing your chest in the middle of the night makes a trip out of town seem a bit preposterous.
It's our hospital and we are lucky to live in a town that features one; therefore, we should ALL work to improve it, not just whine about it. I suggest we attend the next meeting of the board. This is too important to just let fall by the wayside once the topic cools.
April 30, 2008 at 7:50 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
jayhawker (anonymous) says...
When a very well respected, competent and credible person like Dr. Barnett, who is not given to critical statements about others, makes allegations about the hospital's administration, I believe that we best listen carefully. Although the administration does not directly provide patient care, a failure of leadership at the top will convert to problems throughout the institution. These allegations warrant careful investigation, post haste.
April 30, 2008 at 9:51 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
glarson (anonymous) says...
A forum has been set up on the topic of Emporia's health-care community. We've closed the threads on the original story and follow-up editorial and moved the discussion.
Those looking at this letter to the editor might want to check out that forum:
http://www.emporiagazette.com/forums/...
We'll leave the thread on this letter open for awhile, but readers may find commenters preferring to use the one forum.
Gwen Larson
Managing Editor
May 1, 2008 at 7:20 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )