EMMC experience in stark contrast to stories

Last week I made a transition from hospital healthcare provider to healthcare consumer. In the space of just 96 hours, I visited multiple departments at Eastern Maine Medical Center, and was cared for by private practice physicians, EMMC-employed physicians, and a cadre of expertly trained health care professionals. And as I experienced the hospital from this new perspective, I appreciated just how well this hospital – my hospital – worked. As a practicing pathologist, as a member of the EMMC board of trustees for the past 41/2 years, and as medical staff president the last 15 months, I have been involved not just in providing care, but in the issues of management and governance of the hospital as well. Suddenly, I had a front row seat that confirmed what I already knew: the care at EMMC is efficient, compassionate and pretty darn good.

As medical staff president, as chief of pathology for nine years, and as a member of the board, I know about EMMC’s problems in a way few people do. I have no illusions. EMMC is not perfect. But my new perspective has given me a fresh appreciation of how the efforts of all those that work at and for EMMC have resulted in a hospital that we and the community should be proud of.

Much of the credit goes to the exceptional staff who deliver the care. But credit also belongs to the dedicated community volunteers serving on the board who protect the mission of the hospital, and to the administrators whose work supports our ability to deliver on that mission.

What I know as a physician and board member, and now as a patient, stands in stark and confusing contrast to what I read in the Bangor Daily News. Recent front-page articles describe a hospital that has lost the trust of the public; a Board that is failing to protect the mission of the hospital. I believe most of the community served by EMMC feels as I do: that EMMC can be trusted to deliver a breadth and quality of care far beyond what one might expect in a small city in a rural state. Further, I believe most of the community understands the dedication Board members bring to meeting their responsibilities to the hospital and to the community.

I am disappointed and disturbed by the BDN coverage of the anticipated changes in EMHS. Beginning with their article of July 24, our community newspaper has chosen to editorialize on the front page, not just the editorial page. Eastern Maine Healthcare (EMH) is described as about to be “stripped of its authority” and replaced by a “more powerful and less publicly accountable organization.” The truth is that EMH is not being “stripped” of its authority. The contemplated changes can take place only by a vote of its members. And while the organizational structure will change, EMMC will not be less publicly accountable.

The BDN implies that the effort of EMMC, EMH, and EMHS to modernize its governance in response to a changing healthcare and corporate environment conceals a hidden agenda. Yet they offer no supporting facts. The BDN article uses unnecessarily inflammatory language in restating allegations made by some members, physicians and others that the hospital is “attempting to shake off its community roots, swapping the messy business of community governance for…an insular, top-down system”- fair game in an editorial, but inappropriate as part of a news story without supporting facts. When the BDN offers facts, they are sometimes stated incorrectly. The EMHS Board will not have “ultimate authority in all matters” pertaining to governance of EMMC as stated in the July 24 article.

One member, quoted anonymously in the BDN on July 29, accused EMHS management of “a blatant power grab … the worst, most blatant kind of corporate takeover, and the only motive is profit.” When absurd statements such as this are printed as part of what should be a serious exploration of the issues, one wonders if there is a group of Bangor citizens with an agenda other than accessible, quality, affordable healthcare for our community. There should be zero tolerance when anyone, including the staff and management of the BDN, attempts to create an emotionally charged and politicized atmosphere for this important discussion.

The changes being contemplated for EMMC, and all organizations within EMHS will have an impact on our region for years to come. Of course there is more than one way to govern these organizations and to ensure meaningful community involvement. Calm, fact-driven, reasoned decision making should be the order of the day. Community leaders should insist not only on clarity of purpose from the EMMC’s board and administration, but on responsible journalism from the BDN, and a thoughtful, civil, community discussion.

Irwin Gross, MD, is medical staff president at Eastern Maine Medical Center.