Letters to the Editor

To the Editor:

I would like to add my comments to those of Mark Seimears regarding Dr. Salard. Though our circumstances are somewhat different, my husband, like his father was medivaced out by Dr. Salard just in time. I appreciated his professionalism in dealing with my husband and in seeing him subsequently.

After a positively terrible experience with a visiting doctor, my husband is now refusing to go anywhere near the hospital unless he knows he will see Dr. Salard. We are getting older and that means more chance for illness so I am very concerned for our health after the board’s actions. Not only is there more chance for things to go wrong as one ages, but often it is important to have someone you know and trust treating you. I know from experience with my mother prior to her death that those with Alzheimer’s or dementia are especially sensitive to a change in doctors and may not do as well under a parade of temporary doctors.

In today’s world it is getting ever harder to find someone who actually wants to live and practice in Wrangell. We certainly hope Dr. Salard will be successful in his appeal for all of us in Wrangell who appreciate him.

Barbara Conine

To the Editor:

As many of you can imagine, it can be hard to recruit nurses and doctors to our tiny island community in the middle of nowhere. Our hospital board and CEO are making this more difficult. Alaska Island Community Services provided the Borough a copy of a letter from their physician recruiter, and it reads in part, “…my biggest concern is the fact that the board of the hospital revoked privileges for one of your doctors without consideration for the ramifications of their action. I can sell through most concerns, but the Board’s actions are an obstacle I cannot talk through with a candidate. Having privileges revoked, or even challenged, can very well be a career ender for a doctor.”

It is time we change Wrangell Medical Center’s mission statement: “Bullying, petty politics, and fiscal mismanagement.”

Janell Privett

To the Editor:

The citizens of Wrangell have been enjoying the outdoor shooting range for the past 15 years.

Recently the range has become a dumping ground for household garbage and appliances. In an effort to keep access to the shooting range unrestricted; we are asking the people who are dumping garbage at the shooting range to stop.

Please help keep this great asset clean and access unrestricted. Your help would be appreciated.

Kim Covalt

Parks & Rec Director

 

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