Dear Readers,

Jim Donovan sent me a message yesterday. I’ll bet he sent you one, too.

It was in a slick magazine called Today. It is the annual report of Lincoln County Healthcare. 

Donovan, the President and CEO, explained what a good job they have done for us, and how much they care for us, and the great things they have done for us during FY 2011.

In his note, he explains how the problems inherent in the modern healthcare system have triggered changes. “Because of changes like these, many small hospitals in our state have closed,” he said.

Then he continued: “There are two reasons our small healthcare facilities still exist today, and will continue to care for our communities into the future.”

“1. Innovation: We believe we must change to meet the changing dynamics in healthcare. If we can’t be innovative and continue offering our services at the highest levels of quality, we don’t offer them.”

“2. Community Support: We were founded and continue to exist through generous community support. Thanks to St. Andrews Hospital Auxiliary and the Miles Memorial Hospital League, and to individuals who donate their time as volunteers and financial resources as donors, our organization continues to serve families, friends and visitors of Lincoln County.”

“Thank you so much for your support. Jim”

The report never mentioned Lincoln County Healthcare's intention to shutter the St. Andrews Hospital emergency room, thus ending the hospital. Under the rules, if a hospital no longer has an emergency room, it is no longer classified as a hospital.

The report, like most similar documents, had a couple of feel good stories about medical students, new nurses, innovations like the new electronic medical records system, praised the work of volunteers and listed the names of generous donors.

In the back of the booklet, it showed Miles Memorial Hospital made $1.8 million from operations. St. Andrews also made money: $424,036 to be exact, despite the fact that there has been no operating room for the last 3 years as those services were shifted to Miles. Despite the profits, LCH has told our community it makes no financial sense to keep our little hospital open.

Don’t take my word for it. Read their annual report. Make up your own mind.

The booklet also listed the names and photos of the Lincoln County Heathcare's board of trustees. Most likely you will recognize some of them. I did, and I will attest they are good citizens, good friends, and able volunteers.

Readers of this column will note that while I have opposed the closure, I have not listed the board by name. I know they are troubled by this decision, and I did not want to personalize this, as it is a larger community issue.

I have been told some board members have spent a lot of sleepless nights after the community overwhelmingly expressed outrage over their decision to close St. Andrews Hospital and turn it into a part-time facility called an urgent care center.

Don’t think for a minute that they made an easy decision. It was not. While it may have made sense to some, it was just the wrong decision for the patients, and potential patients of St. Andrews Hospital. They are the same folks who are our, and their, friends and neighbors.

The Lincoln County Healthcare board meets again Thursday, Sept. 27. Once again, they will meet behind closed doors and their minutes are secret, so no one will know what they said or how they voted.

I believe it is a chance for these good citizens to reconsider their earlier decision. It is a chance for them to vote again. It is a chance for a do-over, or as the golfers say, it is time to take a Mulligan.

Dear friends on the Lincoln County Healthcare board, we know you mean only the best for your friends and neighbors. Please reconsider your earlier position. This time, when you listen to the arguments of the accountants and medical professionals, remember your friends and neighbors.

Vote to keep St. Andrews open.