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Hospital needs to explain ‘change’

Editor, Index-Tribune:

    

  I sat down this afternoon and tried to digest what was published in the Index-Tribune today (Sept. 21). First, editor Bolling said he will not publish any more letters sent about the Sonoma Valley Hospital and the SVH Foundation.

  Second, Dr. Kirk made some very good points about the three CEOs of the hospital dealing with the situation before and after he was the chair of the board of directors.

  Third, Bill Schang (a neighbor to SVH) had some interesting comments about location, location.

  After reading these and previous comments about the management of SVH and the role of the board of directors, something really stood out, and I counted.  Editor Bolling used the word “change” seven times in his editorial. Dr. Kirk used the word “change” seven times in his op-ed column.

  Change can be an “act,” “process,” “alteration,” “transformation” or “substitution.”

  No one has, to my knowledge – listener and reader that I am – explained what is really being proposed to “change.” That’s not clear to me and probably not to many other people in the community. 

  I have been a volunteer and financial supporter for the SVH and the foundation. An articulate, strategic plan is not being communicated, if there is one. 

  I think that the board and CEO Mather need to get on top of this, if a community fundraising campaign is to go forward – using communication devices that are very common in nonprofit organizations – a statement of why, when and what.  

  All of us who are paying and have paid multiple parcel taxes, and who have worked on the hospital bond issue, should be informed. I am supportive, if you communicate what’s up.

   Joanne K. Hurley

  Sonoma