To the Editor:
Early on a self appointed attack was directed at Dorothy Hunt-Sweat’s ability to gather correct information and then make a decision based on facts.
I was, via teleconference, a participant in the 6 hour and 13 minute Fair Hearing. Each lawyer presented their facts and witness support. As soon as the lawyers’ summations were made, it was 20 days until a decision was required. Following my call from Texas - to a prominent board member - it became common knowledge that I was offering a very careful as well as a compassionate alternate solution to be considered. To me, based on the facts and witness confirmation of Dr. Salard’s medical performance plus the unprecedented use of other information, we had options.
It was and also had been common knowledge that I would be arriving in Wrangell on Saturday, as well as flying on Friday, so I could not participate in any quorum or vote and I requested an in absence voice.
Yes, without releasing any sensitive or secret information I admitted to distress when I was informed that the WMC board had continued to not credential the doctor as per the vote in November 2011. Here again my Daddy’s name, my Husband’s name—all mine—were falsely used. I was given no choice but make my thoughts clear.
I could talk on and on, or rave on and on as some have and are doing. Why? Have any read Sheri Rose Sheperd’s book, Life Is Not a Dress Rehearsal? From this book I have gleaned a very simple message, God pursues us in compassion and life-changing love, each life is so important. Why not focus on the doing of excellent works for Wrangell. Could we not bridle out tongues and expend energies to peace and harmony? Let’s truly change our community’s current temperament to be a bright light in our future.
Make no mistake, as an Alaskan by birth and a retired citizen of Wrangell by choice, I remain both honored and humbled by the expectations and trust you the voters as my friends and neighbors of Wrangell have placed in me.
Dorothy Hunt-Sweat
To the Editor:
For anyone in Wrangell who thinks it could be a good idea for an AICS employee to serve on WMC’s Board please allow me to point out that the AICS Board has only persons recruited by Mark Walker and those people are appointed, not elected. At one time I was asked to serve on the AICS board by Mark Walker and I questioned whether that would be a conflict of interest. Mark didn’t think so but Brian Gilbert did and after I made my own decision to decline I was informed by Mr. Gilbert that had I chosen to go on the AICS board I would have been asked to resign from his. Every board discusses issues from their own perspective. Both AICS and WMC address similar or the same issues at times. How could a person make the best decision for both entities when both are involved? The same would be true of a physician serving on the board.
At the present time the Chief of Staff attends WMC board meetings and gives input. Issues that arise pertaining to physicians or the clinic are always discussed with a physician representative outside of regular meetings as well. WMC also has a Medical Director consultant, Dr. Robert Urata. His input and the perspective he brings from the staff of Bartlett Memorial Hospital in Juneau is invaluable. I say “leave it alone”. The opinion expressed at healthcare conferences is - do not have employees on your board!!
Lynne Campbell
To the Editor:
Thanks to everyone who turned out Saturday to help clean up Wrangell’s streets and especially to Marlene Carroll, Paula Rak, Coree Delabrue, Leon Carroll, and Carol Snoddy for organizing the event, and The American Legion for hosting this event.
Having a clean town demonstrates our sense of pride in our community. What does it say then when our ditches and roadsides begin to accumulate trash only a week after cleanup? It’s really disheartening for those who do clean up to see a slovenly few fouling our communal nest. Maybe there is no way to appeal to those who see the street as their personal garbage can, but if you are headed to the landfill with a truckful of trash, please secure it. You will earn the gratitude of those of us who live, drive and walk on Evergreen Avenue.
Thank you also to the Harbor Department for addressing the dumpster problem at Heritage Harbor. It sure saved the community cleanup workers a lot of backaches this year, though the ravens might not be so pleased. Let’s try harder, not just for one day, but every day, to keep Wrangell litter free. Yes, this is for visitors, but more importantly, it’s a reflection of how we perceive ourselves.
Bonnie Demerjian
To the Editor:
My father (Mac McMurren) was a former mayor of this town, and frankly he would be appalled at what is happening. This community should be working together, rather than trying to banish a wonderful doctor and his family. Is it too much to ask that we have a board that is knowledgeable in their duties and can follow bylaws and policy procedures? When the people of this town signed the recall petition, it was because we the people thought that our community/ health care situation was not being properly handled by the current board members. With that being said, we do not dislike them for who they are personally, we simply dislike how they are handling our health care issues. We have many great people in this community that have done so many wonderful things, and we should not sweep that under the rug, but rather give thanks when it is due. We need to focus on the issues at hand, reinstate our fellow community doctor who has done no harm to anyone, and who has merely wanted better health care and patient care for our little town.
Anita Ferdinand (McMurren)
To the Editor:
I am writing to show my support for my parents, Jim and Sue Nelson, and the WMC Board. It has become apparent that the citizens of Wrangell have forgotten that these board members are also community members. Let me remind you who they are.
My stepfather is James R. Nelson. He is a loyal, honest, and hard-working man who has served his community faithfully for over a quarter of a century. He is a former Assistant Fire Chief and an Elk’s Trustee. He’s given time, money, and energy to that town, a town that has now apparently turned against him. He is the son of June and Charles Nelson, a hometown boy who graduated from Wrangell High School, who worked for the City of Wrangell since he was old enough to work, and continues to work past retirement.
My mother is Mary Susan Nelson (Sue). She is my rock, she is my moral compass, she is the voice in my head pushing me to do better, she is my mother. She has worked tirelessly at WMC for over 25 years as a RN. Growing up she missed important family events so that she could care for your families. I have seen her tired, worn out, and still on her feet in the face of a crisis. I have personally witnessed her having to leave a funeral of a family member to go care for your family members. She raised three strong daughters, who all went on to serve the public. It is because of her I am who I am.
My entire family has at one point served the community of Wrangell, often as volunteers. But apparently some of the citizens of Wrangell have forgotten all this. You have forgotten what it was like to do what’s right; to research the facts, and draw an educational conclusion for yourself. It’s easy to insult and degrade someone on Facebook, bullies everywhere do it every day. Personal vendettas, serious character flaws, and ignorant slander are not helping. All it’s doing to is making tempers higher and higher. Remember that it is easy to be a bully. It is much, much harder to face a bully and stay true to who you truly are.
There are things that people know at the hospital that cannot be made public, things I don’t even pretend to know. But as a medical professional, I do know that to violate HIPPA is a serious offense. The majority of healthcare professionals I know truly believe in protecting the patient, protecting their right to privacy, and their right to receive healthcare without fear of judgment or discrimination. They believe in doing no harm, physically or emotionally.
Jacqueline (Nicki) Nikodym
Reader Comments(0)