Editor's note: This letter was sent to Lewistown Hospital CEO Kay Hamilton and a copy submitted to The Sentinel for publication.
Dear Ms. Hamilton:
We, the undersigned members of the Lewistown Healthcare Foundation wish to express some concerns.
You have announced the intention of the hospital to enter into an arrangement with another organization (believed to be the Geisinger system.) You have hired consultants (whose names you would not release). To add insult to injury, you have refused to provide copies of the consultants' recommendations when requested by members of the Lewistown Healthcare Foundation.
Apparently it is necessary to remind officers and directors of the Lewistown Hospital that only the members of the Foundation have the power to approve such a transaction. (If, in some way the transaction has be structured so that a vote is not required then all details must still be given to the members.) The fact that the arrangement has been negotiated without consultation with the membership renders any recommendation suspect - unless it is shared with the Foundation members in advance of a public vote.
We respectfully request the following:
Within five (5) days, provide us with:
1. A current roll of the members of the Lewistown Healthcare Foundation, complete with current addresses and telephone numbers.
2. The consultants' report to each member of the Foundation - or put it on your web site with unrestricted access to Foundation members.
3. Disclose to the Foundation members the alternatives you have rejected, the names of your consultants, all real or apparent conflicts of interest of the consultants, hospital officers, physicians and Hospital and Foundation counsel.
4. Postpone any action by the Foundation pending completion of the foregoing.
Respectfully submitted by members of the Lewistown Healthcare Foundation on behalf of all members of the Foundation and for the benefit of the community:
Raj Molhotra, MD
Kim Kolonich, MD
Richardo Carter, MD
Edward Ridings, MD
Sandy Baker
Tracey Shilling
Lucretia Solomon, LPN
Eric Richard
Stephen Solomon, MD
Michael Mundy, MD
Mary Murray
Eric Fowler
Lori Fowler
Stuart Miller, LCSW
Barb Miller, RN, MS, CMN
Sheilah Yohn, CRNP
Richard Yohn
