To the Editor:
I have worked for WMC for two years. During that time I have learned a lot about myself and a lot about other people. Working in a medical facility takes a caring, compassionate person. I believe everyone puts all they can emotionally, physically and spiritually into the work they do here. I am proud of the hard work the CNAs, nurses, and all WMC staff do. This is a sensitive job that takes a lot of heart, communication and teamwork. The WMC keeps our community safe.
The hospital is a cornerstone to this community, employing and caring for our friends and family. They were there for me during the night when I was worried about a fever Roma had. They were there on the weekend when Felix cut his foot, and they are there when you need them the most. When it is unexpected, when it is unwanted, during the worst, the best, and sometimes the embarrassing times in your life, they are there. Each individual in the community has a connection in someway to the facility. Your cousin might work here or you aunt may live here. You might have been treated here.
I am proud to live and work in Wrangell. I hope to have a long and successful life in this town with my fisherman and children, growing up with friends and cousins they have known since birth.
Solene Allen
To the Editor:
I have avoided responding to allegations that appear on Facebook and in the Wrangell Sentinel but the latest one from Judy Allen is too much to ignore.
Brian Gilbert introduced me to Noel Rea at a conference in Phoenix two years before his retirement. The three of us went out to dinner and once we were alone Brian told me he believed Noel would be our next administrator. When Brian announced his retirement he also advertised for applications for his replacement. Noel applies as expected and was the only applicant. While he had Brian’s support for the job, the board felt we should have more choices and we advertised for additional applicants. We ended up with three, which we reviewed.
It was a unanimous decision that Noel Rea was the best and most qualified applicant and he was hired after being interviewed. His hiring was done with 100% support of Brian Gilbert. The only experience Noel lacked was hands on running of a long-term care facility. Brian had him get the necessary experience for certification by working with him under his license for six months.
As I learned very quickly, Noel Rea is widely known throughout the healthcare community in Alaska and nationally. I was honestly surprised at his connections and the respect he has from his peers.
I told Jeremy Maxand two years ago, “you don’t have to like him but you do need to respect him for what he has contributed to Wrangell Medical Center and the community.” He has implemented a higher standard of healthcare, which includes a higher standard for hiring and credentialing of healthcare providers. One thing that has always stood out to me upon hearing it at a conference is “set your standards, hire to those standards and fire for those standards.” Those words speak volumes and I believe explain some of the “retention” problems at WMC.
I strongly urge the voters of Wrangell to vote “no” on recalling each of the Wrangell Medical Center board members. They have done nothing wrong. There has never been a conspiracy, if there is one, has been on the part of certain individuals who have lied, manipulated information, worked feverishly to discredit Noel Rea and when that was unsuccessful went after the board who hired him. Because of confidentiality laws there is so much that must remain unsaid by Noel Rea and the WMC board. But answers given by them to questions asked have been honest. There have never been any lies told by them and no attempt to hide any actions taken. The board minutes substantiate everything. Anyone who doesn’t believe the truth is the one with a problem.
Lynne Campbell
To the Editor:
In politics the emotions on both sides run deep. These have been difficult times, not only for the elected board of directors but for the staff and those community members who feel their voice cannot be heard in the din of the loudest few. It seems not enough to thank staff and board members, past and present, for their service at this time, but thank the families, and the many dedicated people of Wrangell who have so long held together the fabric of community through their tireless support of WMC.
Receiving a complete set of information has helped many Wrangellites understand these highly complicated and sometimes confusing issues. I encourage and invite people to come to the hospital and ask any questions you may have face to face, with the people you have trusted with your hospital for many, many years. Bring a friend, bring a group, bring your spouse, come alone whatever suits you best....it is through your questions that we can all gain a greater understanding of the fears and misgivings feeding this current conflict.
More importantly, I ask that following the vote on the 19th a time of peaceful reconciliation will follow. I am hopeful the community will come together and support the hospital staff and board as we continue to provide the highest quality medical care. The strains of these times shall pass and a new and better era beckons those who seek it with sincerity and service.
My sincerest thanks and respect go to the entire staff for their professionalism through all of this and maintaining the ideals of enhancing the lives of those we serve. You continue to lead by example, focusing on the patients and their care. On behalf of my family, I personally thank you.
Regardless of your position on any of the local politics, I think people on both sides of the issue would agree to get out and vote next Tuesday. It is your hospital and you should decide its future.
Noel Rea
To the Editor,
The special election in Wrangell is June 19th, and I feel that many of the people here have gotten away from the real purpose of the election. The focus seems to be whether or not we are for a new hospital, or against one. We have already voted for that earlier in the year. Most of us agree that we want a new hospital. The election June 19th is to vote on recalling the hospital board members. Have they been doing the job they were elected to do? The outcome of the election will have little to do with whether we get a new hospital or not. It is possible that funding will be refused because of, in my opinion, the financially irresponsible behavior of the board. Maybe it won’t make any difference if we have a new board or not. But please remember when you go to vote what you are voting for- the same board members, or maybe a new hospital board with a different outlook.
Linda S. Jack
To the Editor:
I have followed the news articles re: the new hospital, Board recall and other related issues. I am absolutely appalled by the $1.2 million severance package in the Wrangell Medical Center’s (WMC) administrator’s (“CEO”) present contract. WMC is a public hospital not a private corporation.
Anybody who has experience in employee contracts should be sick to their stomach when they read the entire contract, which can be found posted on line at http://www.wmcrecall.com. Incidentally, the “CEO” evaluation by the WMC board was not conducted until after the contract was signed and finalized.
This is what it looks like when the board stops making decisions in the best interest of the community and instead works for the personal financial interest of the “CEO.”
Wrangell will always be “my home” and it’s clear to me that it’s time for a new Board and Administrator in order to get on with the business of caring for this wonderful community.
Gertrude S. (Trudy) Johnson
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