Print this story |
E-mail story |
This story has 17 comments Add your own |
iPod friendly | Bookmark this
What is this?
NRMC magicians at it once again
Published Tuesday, June 2, 2009
It seems Natchez Regional Medical Center and all the brass associated with it have perfected mind mastery with the citizens of Adams County.
CEO Scott Phillips and Healthcare Management Partners make Houdini, Criss Angel and David Blaine look inept in the artistry of illusions with their now you see it, now you don’t trickery.
For numerous months the citizens of Natchez, the board of supervisors and the hospital board believed that the sale of Natchez Regional Medical Center was just around the corner. Then the disappearing act occurred and in a puff of smoke, there was no sale.
The hospital board and board of supervisors were held spell-bound with the magic words that came out of the mouth Mr. Phillips.
Like Kreskin, Scott Phillips made some believe he could see into the future with the sure sale of NRMC. By keeping the supposed buyer secret, many were entertained during the negotiations period that the trick of selling the hospital would come to fruition. But, Mr. Phillips forgot the magic words, and we were later told that the sale failed because Natchez Community Hospital would not sell too.
It was stated that Natchez should have only one hospital, that’s all Natchez can support. Mr. Phillips and hospital board members said the key to NRMC’s future is dependent upon doctor recruitment.
Then steps in a new illusionist, Dr. Kenneth Stubbs. His trick is to make a disappearing act with the doctors at Radiology Associates as his subjects.
Now lets stop this trickery and go back to basics.
Scott Phillips and Dr. Stubbs’ desire to have only one hospital in Natchez will soon become a reality when doctors being recruited to the area discover how NRMC rewards doctors who are loyal to the hospital’s needs. When they see how unprofessionally physicians are treated, I personally don’t see why any doctor would relocate to Natchez. If all doctors leave NRMC after observing how dedicated physicians are rewarded, Mr. Phillips and Dr. Stubbs will get their wish of having one hospital in Natchez — Natchez Community Hospital.
Step aside Penn and Teller, your new replacements in the illusionist business are here. And now ladies and gentlemen without further ado! Here for your entertainment pleasure! The greatest illusionists ever Ken and Scott!
Gary Shaifer
Natchez resident
Comments
Posted by bluffmom (anonymous) on June 3, 2009 at 8:30 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Wonderful letter Gary! I wish someone would ask the Board at NRMC why they are doing this. I have yet to get the answer to that question. They ask us to stay local for our medical treatment and they turn around and want to ship our xrays to Hattiesburg. The loss of income that this move will cause will have an effect on a lot of people, not just RAN!
Posted by LOVESNATCHEZ (anonymous) on June 3, 2009 at 8:42 a.m. (Suggest removal)
I agree "bluffmom"; taxpayers should be ware! Call your supervisor and get him involved. The trickle down effect from this move is the loss of hundreds of thousands of dollars into Natchez & Adams county.
The thing that really bothers me about is ; if there was a problem with Natchez Radiology, why didn't NRMC discuss it with them? At least give them the chance to update, correct, whatever problem Phillips has with them. All Natchez Radiology got was a registered letter saying this was a done deal!!! Something just isn't right here. There's a lot more to this. It HAS to be money. But money for who? This is OUR hospital; we have all got to fight to keep EVERYTHING in NATCHEZ.
Posted by rt29 (anonymous) on June 3, 2009 at 10:17 a.m. (Suggest removal)
I agree with you exactly LOVESNATCHEZ. Great letter Mr. Shaifer! Whats the next rabbit gonna be, and who will pull it out of the hat?
Posted by Hardcorps (anonymous) on June 3, 2009 at 11:10 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Good show Gary. phillips has the merry men on the hospital board in his pocket it seems(along with $100K every month) and the BoS are afraid to speak up except to say, I want to find the prettiest place on the bypass and put a house trailer there.
Posted by whyworry (anonymous) on June 3, 2009 at 1:16 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Apparently some of you intelligent commenters don't READ the Ntz Democrat! NRMC is not going to SEND the Xrays out of town, they will be read here in town!! And I suggest all of you to get all the facts about what you are commenting on before you start degrading people. Some people have to step up to the plate and help keep all the businesses here or there will be a lot more people out of work. I would like to know how many of you are doing anything to help keep this business open and our citizens employed????
Posted by workinghard (anonymous) on June 3, 2009 at 2:19 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Sorry whyworry, you are wrong--the xrays WILL BE SENT TO THE HATTIESBURG PHYSICIANS BY COMPUTER!! And yes they will be the ones getting the money not anyone here in Natchez. they might send a report back to the hospital and doctors but that too will take time.
Posted by LOVESNATCHEZ (anonymous) on June 3, 2009 at 3:34 p.m. (Suggest removal)
"WHYWORRY" It appears that YOU are the one speaking out of turn!!! The x-rays will most certainly be read by a doctor in HATTIESBURG.. Someone you and I don't know and never will know. Any and all monies involved in the reading the xray will go to Forest County; NOT ADAMS COUNTY. I think we are all trying to "STEP UP TO THE PLATE AND KEEP A BUSINESS GOING". THAT WOULD BE RADIOLOGY ASSOCIATES OF NATCHEZ!!!!!!!!!! I guess my question to you is this: are you concerned about keeping NRMC in business? OR, Radiology of Natchez in business? Or both>? I would hope it would be both. Radiology of Natchez has taken care of JEFF DAVIS/NATCHEZ REGIONAL for 50 years!!! Yes, you read it right. 50 years. Now Phillips and Stubbs have decided that's not good enough. Let them keep on and you'll have nothing but a satellite hospital; which is fine with me. Community and Riverpark are just right.
Posted by Hardcorps (anonymous) on June 3, 2009 at 4:29 p.m. (Suggest removal)
whyworry we don't have to degrade these people. They degrade themselves with every wrong decision they make. We will take action at the voting booth on the ones we can and we can just sit back and watch the NRMC and the Adams County School Board make fools of themselves while they insure the fact that they are short lived little people on important boards.
Posted by Yeahuhuh (anonymous) on June 3, 2009 at 7:37 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Someone answer this, do any public officials make these decisions like who will read the Xrays? Is there any real recourse by the public voting one way or the other?
Half the posters on this board usually contend the hospital is not a public hospital except the ownership of the building. That the actual running of the hospital is by private interests who are looking for their bottom line. The other half of posters -- breathing fire and brimstone threatens revenge and expresses outrage.
Posted by EnKiKur (Marty Ellerbe) on June 3, 2009 at 8:52 p.m. (Suggest removal)
The people of Adams County are on the hook for 16 million dollars, they have a vested interest in the way this hospital is run. It really is starting to look like this whole scam needs to be investigated by the attorney general. Adams County is poor enough without being milked by inattentive boards and their administrative choices.
Posted by LOVESNATCHEZ (anonymous) on June 4, 2009 at 7:16 a.m. (Suggest removal)
I totally agree with you "enkikur". How do we get that done? I'll certainly place the call if you can tell me how. And, "yeahuhuh", your BOS can certainly step in and help with this mess. Call yours and show up at the BOS meeting and express your disapproval. I don't think the majority of Adams County taxpayers are seeing just how detrimental this move would be. PLEASE, EVERYONE GET ON BOARD AND KNOW THE REAL FACTS. EXPRESS YOUR CONCERNS.
Posted by Torch (anonymous) on June 4, 2009 at 8:57 a.m. (Suggest removal)
I think that everyone on here including Mr. Schaifer should get all the facts before you start blasting people. It's amazing to me how people can have have an opinion based on very little information. Are ya'll sitting in these meetings and hearing what is actually going on and the problems. Their is a lot more to the story than most people know because we are not privy to the information. Sure some mistakes have been made, but these people are dealing with an almost impossible situation. We are in horrible economic times and are trying to sell a hospital. It is almost impossible for hospitals to get the money that is owed them, and the cost of running the facilities are going through the roof. Sounds like an easy fix to me.
Posted by destiny (anonymous) on June 4, 2009 at 9:40 a.m. (Suggest removal)
I'm still asking the age old question,"If the hospital is so broke and in such a deep hole, why is so much "cosmetic" construction allowed to continue? How are they paying for that? I'm beginning to believe that Phillips is the look-out kid for the bullies around the corner. Something vile is going on, me thinks.
Posted by LOVESNATCHEZ (anonymous) on June 4, 2009 at 10:47 a.m. (Suggest removal)
"TORCH"!!!! WHAT ARE YOU TALKING ABOUT???? What is the impossible situation? RADIOLOGY OF NATCHEZ DOES NOT COST N.R.M.C. ONE RED CENT!!! So how is that running the cost through the roof? It appears you need to get YOUR information correct before blasting anyone on here. Are you an ADAMS COUNTY TAXPAYER??? We own that hospital. Our B.O.S. could step in and check this out. They are too chicken. After all, they were the ones who let QUORUM screw us out of millions of dollars and now they're letting SCOTT PHILLIPS AND HIS CREW DO THE SAME THING!!! Are you NOT for keeping local business in NATCHEZ? Are you aware that every cent the new radiologists make will LEAVE ADAMS COUNTY???? I just hope YOUR job doesn't get taken by someone out of town.
Posted by Yeahuhuh (anonymous) on June 4, 2009 at 10:51 a.m. (Suggest removal)
LOVESNATCHEZ -- does the Board of Supervisors discuss the business workings of the hospital? What is the limit of their influence there?
Other posters have claimed that the running of the hospital is private. It is hard to get a straight answer.
Posted by LOVESNATCHEZ (anonymous) on June 4, 2009 at 10:52 a.m. (Suggest removal)
OH.. one more thing. I have read the letter that the NRMC board of trustees sent Radiology of Natchez, so I know exactly what I'm talking about. If the Board had EVEN said ANYTHING TO Natchez Radiology about any concerns or problems, that would be one thing. They found out by a hand delivered letter.. That's pretty chicken____ if you ask me. Don't you think NRMC should have at least had a meeting with the NATCHEZ Drs???? This is another underhanded move by the hospital and one of these days you people are to to FINALLY wake up and then it will be too late......
Posted by LOVESNATCHEZ (anonymous) on June 4, 2009 at 11:33 a.m. (Suggest removal)
"Yeahuhuh", They have all the influence they care to put in. I sent them an email begging them to address this situation. All I know is that they got it; no reply and to my knowledge, no discussion. That's why I've asked everyone to contact their supervisor and INSIST that they address this issue. IT'S THEIR DAMN JOB!!! We elected them to protect our assets, and now it's time for them to get their heads out of the sand and stop toying around with things that don't matter and finally do something constructive for our city and county. If they don't step in and stop this move, maybe we should 'FARM OUT' the supervisors positions. I'm sure there are more qualified people out of town who could run the city by COMPUTER.
Post a comment (Terms of Use Policy)
(Requires free registration.)