[Occupymendocino] Dr Harris

[Richard Karch]

> 
> 
 
> 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
>  ct.
> 
> Diane Harris

To the Patients of Dr. Diane Harris
by Dr. Diane Harris
 
            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.
            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.
            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.
            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. I enjoy and want to maintain those relationships– some of 23 years duration. I also want to acknowledge the support, trust and respect I have been given over the years by my patients and the community.
            I am working to be available to patients in this community and continue my commitment to my patients, and the community.
            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 


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