Editor,

Rob Born deserves your vote for Whidbey General Hospital Board. For the past several years he has made every effort to research and bring to light concerns facing our community hospital. He takes the time to listen to staff and to raise issues at board meetings and other public venues, to discuss potential solutions to resolve those issues facing Whidbey General Hospital, and to present opportunities for improved experience for both patients and staff.

All organizations, hospital or other, have opportunities to improve their operations. Whidbey General Hospital is no exception.

Mr. Born is correct in criticizing the hospital for investing so much money and staff time in adopting “Studer Principles,” a program unpopular with providers and resulting in little improvement in patient satisfaction.

Over the past few years, the hospital has experienced staff turnover at every level: nurses, managers and physicians. Most recently, several respected surgeons and primary care physicians have chosen to practice elsewhere.

Our community deserves a board that is strong, one that can support changes necessary to not only recruit but retain quality staff essential to providing the highest level of health care services to our community.

The “status quo” is not going to move our hospital forward and keep us at the forefront of the health care delivery system.

I have worked as both staff and management at Whidbey General Hospital and I believe that Rob Born will help take us where we need to go. Cast your vote for Rob Born for Whidbey General Hospital board.

KAREN LOORAM, RN, MBA

Langley