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<div class="MsoNormal"><div><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: 'Liberation Serif'; color: rgb(0, 0, 10); "><blockquote type="cite" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: Helvetica; font-size: medium; "><div class="moz-forward-container"><br><br></div></blockquote></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: monospace; white-space: pre; font-size: 13px; "> </span><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: 'Liberation Serif'; color: rgb(0, 0, 10); "><blockquote type="cite" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 11px; "><div class="moz-forward-container"><pre style="font-size: 8px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 13px; ">The 8/20 MCDH Board meeting has been cancelled. There will be a special
meeting of the Board on 8/17 - 4:30pm. There will also be a regular
meeting of the MCDH Board on 8/27 - 6:30pm. We will be out of town for
the 8/27/15 meeting because we are going to our daughter's wedding. All
MCDH Board meetings are held at the hospital in the Redwoods Room, which
is on the right after entering the patient registration entrance.
The 8/17 meeting will start at 4:30. The agenda (which is attached)
says that they will have a roll call and then go into closed session.
Public comment is not scheduled until after the closed session.
It is not clear when the closed sessions will be over and public
comment will be taken. The agenda could be revised and public comment
taken before the closed session. If public comment is taken after the
closed session, it is unknown how long the closed session will be. We
might end up waiting because of this uncertainty. Since that is
possible, we could bring some snacks and share each others food and
company while we are waiting. There is some question whether the second
closed session discussions, as described on the agenda, are properly
held in closed session and may be challenged at the beginning of the
meeting. This might also result in some revision of the agenda.
Also attached is a Community Forum by Dr. Diane Harris that will
appear in the Advocate on 8/20 that addresses the termination of her
contra</span></pre></div></blockquote><blockquote type="cite" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: Helvetica; font-size: medium; "><div class="moz-forward-container"><pre><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 16px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 13px; "> </span>ct.
Diane Harris</span></pre></div></blockquote></span></div></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:18.0pt"><b>To the Patients of Dr.
Diane Harris<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">by Dr. Diane Harris</div>
<div class="MsoNormal"><!--[if !supportEmptyParas]--> <!--[endif]--><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-tab-count:1"> </span>North
Coast Family Health Center (NCFHC) has been putting out a great deal of
misinformation. Patients have been told things that cause them concern. It is
not true, as patients have been told, that I have taken a medical leave. I do
not have a medical issue; you do not need to worry about my health. Nor is it
true that I just suddenly abandoned my patients, as one irate patient was told.
The various stories patients have been told do not make sense to them. I, too,
can make no sense of this. I am not trying to give you a one-sided account or
hiding something I know that would explain this.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-tab-count:1"> </span>The
real story is that NCFHC and Mendocino Coast District Hospital (MCDH)
administration waited until the last minute to begin contract renewal
discussions. Four days before the end of the existing contract, I was told by
MCDH CEO, Bob Edwards, to just “suck it up” and sign it. The situation came
down to 2 days before the end of the contract with three doctors unwilling to
sign the new contract. On that day, I requested to see the latest version of
the contract and Ilona Horton (NCFHC administrator) refused to give it to me
saying that she and Bob Edwards decided to let my contract expire, and that
they weren't going to negotiate with me any more. The next day I found out that
the MCDH Board met in emergency session and gave the two other doctors who also
wouldn't sign the contract a 60 day extension on their contract for further
negotiations. I asked the Chair of the Board to schedule a special meeting to
extend my contract in the same manner. My request was declined.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-tab-count:1"> </span>The
administration didn't consider the effects of their actions on my patients,
myself and my family, and on the community. Patients have had multiple
reactions to the news of disruption of continuity of THEIR care. They like me
and are very supportive of me. But they are flummoxed, furious and frustrated,
deeply distressed and disoriented. They have said the following: The lack of
consideration for the patients is immoral. What is glaringly absent is a focus or
concern for the sacrosanct relationship between doctor and patient, and the
healing process. I have found Dr. Harris to be knowledgeable, agreeable, and
helpful. Clearly she is smart and patient-centric. I have valued my sessions
with her and feel she is one of the best doctors in the area. It is
incomprehensible that the administration would allow this to happen. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-tab-count:1"> </span><span style="color:black">I love being a doctor and love taking care of people. My
patients depend on me and I do not want to let them down. I would not terminate
my care of my patients in this sudden way. </span>I enjoy and want to maintain
those relationships<span style="color:black">– some of 23 years duration.</span>
I also want to acknowledge the support, trust and respect I have been given
over the years by my patients and the community.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-tab-count:1"> </span>I
am working to be available to patients in this community and continue my
commitment to my patients, and the community.</div>
<span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Liberation Serif";color:#00000A;
mso-ansi-language:EN-US;mso-fareast-language:ZH-CN"><span style="mso-tab-count:
1"> </span>The
actions of the administration do not reflect the spirit of our community. There
is a Hospital Board meeting on August 27 if you wish to speak your thoughts to
the Board. The meeting is scheduled for 6pm in the Redwoods Room at the
Hospital. Ask for an explanation so we can all understand why this happened.
You could </span><!--EndFragment-->
<div><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Liberation Serif";color:#00000A;
mso-ansi-language:EN-US;mso-fareast-language:ZH-CN"><br></span></div><div><span style="font-size: 12pt; color: rgb(0, 0, 10); "><div><div class="moz-forward-container"><pre><br></pre></div></div></span></div></body></html>