THE CITIZEN SEPTEMBER 16 - 22, 1985
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It's not surprising that the consolidation of Mercy and Memorial hospitals
continues to generate controversy.
Many hard decisions have been involved. Decisions that affect
individuals, businesses and the community. Decisions that will affect
people's lives.
We spent countless hours ourselves debating the issues involved. We
studied many options - rejecting some and modifying others.
We sought expert advice from within the community from our medical
staff and from outside consultants.
We worked with - and negotiated with - the Michigan Department
of Public Health to find ways to keep down the costs of meeting its
requirements.
And we knew that whatever decisions were made would not please
everybody. Hard decisions aren't always popular decisions.
The new construction nO\V underway at Memorial Hospital was a major
step in our plan. Completing consolidation will involve renovations of
existing space at Memorial. That work will be completed over a number
of years.
When we made the decision to complete consolidation this way we did
so with these goals in mind: '
• to continue to meet our community's needs by providing quality
health care in the most cost -effective way possible
• to maximize operating cost savings and meet Michigan Department
of Public Health requirements with the minimum capital invest­
ment possible
• to minimize further new construction
• to reduce the number of hospital beds
• to use both the Mercy and Memorial facilities efficiently
• to avoid additional financing or long-term debt.
We believe that completion of the consolidation program is the best long-
term health care alternative for the community. ..
The Medical Staff supports consolidation because it will help make all
diagnostic and treatment services more accessible for every patient And
because consolidation will help contain costs by avoiding the duplication
of expensive technology.
Our hospital costs are Significantly lower than the averages for the state,
the region and the nation. Consolidation will help us continue to get a
good buy for our health care dollars.
The issues are complex. The decisions were hard. But we feel they are
good decisions.
We're ready to discuss any aspect of the consolidation plan with any
organization or group that wants another look at the facts. If you'd like
to do so, please call 927-5222.
It's time to work together. We're not asking those who disagree with our
decisions to change their minds. And we're not asking them to be silent on
the issues with which they are concerned.
But, for the good of all of us who live and work here in southwestern
Michigan, let's work together constructively.
Thi vertisement was paid for by the members of the Board of Tru ees and
the members of t e Medical Staff of Mercy nd Memorial ho pitals.
BOARD OF TRUSTEES
E.A. BaiUif
Leon Gideon
Robert J. Gillespi
Samuel Henderson
Gerald W. Heppler
De n Hudnutt, M.D.
lliiam E. Johnson
Herbert Mendel
Jame . Orwig
Dean Ray. M.D.
r . Roy Shoemaker
Edward B. Starke
Lester C. Tiscornia
Joseph A. Wa rman
Rev. Delano Bowman. Sr.
Mrs. Vere (Mickey) Bowman
John H. Carter. M.D.
Ralph D. Crenshaw
Jeff Edmund
MEDICAL STAFF EXECUTIVE COMMITIEE
Dixon Bieri. M.D.
Charles Boonstra. M.-D.
Robert Brown. M.D.
Frank Bunker. M. D.
Robert Clark. M.D.
John Duge, M.D.
George Heenan. M.D.
orman Hine, D.O. .
Dean Hudnutt. M.D.
Betty Koshy. M.D.
Robert Kraff, M.D.
Gene Maddock, M.D.
John Proos, M. D.
S. Prasad Sajj. . D.
Vi ya Shastri. M.D.
Clinton Wilson, M. D.
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