Dear Editor:
I have lived in the Banks-Jackson area since 2001. I believe we should support our local businesses, services and charities. I believe so strongly in this, that I have supported our local hospital, BJC Medical Center, and asked others to do so as well because after having met most of the staff, I believe them to be well educated, wonderfully supportive, and ready to provide the basic services all of the citizens of this area need.
LETTER: Says BJC should continue to offer OB services
I believed so strongly in this, when I had the opportunity to work in Atlanta for twice the salary, I declined and took a job at BJC Medical Center on the pharmacy staff.
After working there for three years, I became pregnant, and began looking for a doctor. I found Dr. David Sauls and his nurse, Melinda Ragan at the Commerce Women’s Clinic. I found Dr. Sauls to be a wonderful man and doctor. Nurse Ragan always went above and beyond her call of duty and provided health support as well as emotional support.
Sadly we lost our son due to premature birth. BJC did not offer preemie care at the time and Dr. Sauls, just as emotional as my husband and I, found another doctor and another hospital that offered preemie care in the middle of the night for us to go. The staff at this other hospital were friendly, but just did not offer the emotional support and wonderful care as Dr. Sauls and Nurse Ragan. I continued to work there for a little longer, but as changes started, I felt I had to find employment elsewhere.
Ever since this new management group took over, the Authority has forgotten something. BJC Medical Center was founded for the people of this community, thus the name Banks-Jackson-Commerce Medical Center. I can state this for a fact because the medical center’s own website, compliments of its CEO, Mr. Yarborough, states: “The Authority Hospital was founded in 1960 by a group of concerned citizens to establish, build, maintain, manage and operate a hospital and nursing facility for the general welfare of the citizens of Banks County, Jackson County, City of Commerce and surrounding communities.” Mr. Yarborough also closes his statement on the webpage with “Our commitment is to provide the best possible local services available and that you will be cared for and treated like family.”
By closing the Commerce Women’s Clinic and not offering OB services, does not fulfill the need for the community. Even if this is not a money producing service, it should still be provided on an as needed basis. The clinic should remain open every day and the OB ward of the hospital should be staffed and serve patients as needed.
I cannot believe the Hospital Authority could forget that women are the largest group in our community’s population and to not offer basic services for us should make them drop their head in shame.
In conclusion, let’s remember BJC Medical Center’s foundation: for the people by the people. Now that the current Medical Center’s Administration doesn’t seem to care about everyone in the community, I must support other’s opinions that the Medical Center does not deserve our patronage.
Sincerely,
Stephanie Ashworth Brazil
Jefferson
After working there for three years, I became pregnant, and began looking for a doctor. I found Dr. David Sauls and his nurse, Melinda Ragan at the Commerce Women’s Clinic. I found Dr. Sauls to be a wonderful man and doctor. Nurse Ragan always went above and beyond her call of duty and provided health support as well as emotional support.
Sadly we lost our son due to premature birth. BJC did not offer preemie care at the time and Dr. Sauls, just as emotional as my husband and I, found another doctor and another hospital that offered preemie care in the middle of the night for us to go. The staff at this other hospital were friendly, but just did not offer the emotional support and wonderful care as Dr. Sauls and Nurse Ragan. I continued to work there for a little longer, but as changes started, I felt I had to find employment elsewhere.
Ever since this new management group took over, the Authority has forgotten something. BJC Medical Center was founded for the people of this community, thus the name Banks-Jackson-Commerce Medical Center. I can state this for a fact because the medical center’s own website, compliments of its CEO, Mr. Yarborough, states: “The Authority Hospital was founded in 1960 by a group of concerned citizens to establish, build, maintain, manage and operate a hospital and nursing facility for the general welfare of the citizens of Banks County, Jackson County, City of Commerce and surrounding communities.” Mr. Yarborough also closes his statement on the webpage with “Our commitment is to provide the best possible local services available and that you will be cared for and treated like family.”
By closing the Commerce Women’s Clinic and not offering OB services, does not fulfill the need for the community. Even if this is not a money producing service, it should still be provided on an as needed basis. The clinic should remain open every day and the OB ward of the hospital should be staffed and serve patients as needed.
I cannot believe the Hospital Authority could forget that women are the largest group in our community’s population and to not offer basic services for us should make them drop their head in shame.
In conclusion, let’s remember BJC Medical Center’s foundation: for the people by the people. Now that the current Medical Center’s Administration doesn’t seem to care about everyone in the community, I must support other’s opinions that the Medical Center does not deserve our patronage.
Sincerely,
Stephanie Ashworth Brazil
Jefferson
So who do you expect to pay for this?
Also we have very few pediatric pt's, not close to enough to open a unit specifically for them. The Medical/Surgical unit is staffed by nurses and cna's who have been trained in pediatric care.
As for a surgeon who is on call 24/7, that is not a very good scenario to begin with. I agree we do need a surgeon, but we need at least 2-3surgeon team in order to give adequate coverage and time off.
We are currently being looked at by a hospital system, as you have probably read in the paper. If and when we are bought out, we will get that new hospital. Maybe we will have more pediatric rooms and re-open OB. That is yet to be seen