SAMC STOPS As Medical - Medication Supplier - Medical Director To Dothan Fire Department

Rickey Stokes

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Posted by: RStokes
[email protected]
334-790-1729
Date: Sep 25 2017 9:36 PM

DOTHAN:     Since the Board of Directors of Southeast Alabama Medical Center hired a new Chief Executive Officer, Rick Sutton, many changes have occurred at Southeast Alabama Medical Center.

But there are actions being taken that could have drastic affects to the health, welfare and safety of the citizens of Dothan - Houston County and surrounding area. And they take effect on October 1, 2017.

CLICK TO VIEW PHOTOS OF SAMC BOARD OF DIRECTORS

In 1974 the Dothan Fire Department started with 3 medic trucks. Those trucks were stationed at Eastside Fire Station, Central Fire Station and Westgate Fire Station.

In the early 2000's Dothan Fire Department made all 9 fire stations "paramedic" equipped as Advanced Life Support units.

Since 1974 the Dothan Fire Department and Volunteer Rescue Ambulances had their medical supplies and medications stocked by both Flowers Hospital and Southeast Alabama Medical Center. Calls from Park Avenue west Flowers Hospital supplied the medical supplies and from Park Avenue east Southeast Alabama Medical Center supplied the medical supplies.

Flowers Hospital is a private corporation. Southeast Alabama Medical Center gets some of the property taxes, therefore is a "public" hospital.

When the Flowers Family sold Flowers Hospital they stopped supplying the medical supplies to Dothan Fire Department and the volunteer ambulances. But Southeast Alabama Medical Center continued.

Then Flowers Hospital sold to the current owner but the supplying of the medical supplies never changed.

Effective October 1, 2017. the 13 board members of Southeast Alabama Medical Center 

will stop furnishing the medical supplies and medications to the Dothan Fire Department and Volunteer Rescue Units. The SAMC physicians will no longer work as "Medical Director" for Dothan Fire Department or volunteer rescue units with almost $ 14,000.00 a year payment.

 SOUTHEAST ALABAMA MEDICAL CENTER BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Chester Sowell, Board President: John McDaniel, Vice Chairman: Mary Mayo, Secretary: Bruce Wozow,DVM, Treasurer: Donavon L. Wewers,M.D., President of Medical Staff: Tellis Copeland: James Kelley, PHD: Taylor Knight: Don Owens: Lance Shepard: Bob Thenne: Walter Young, M.D.:

HOW DOES THESE 13 MEN AND WOMEN ACTIONS HAVE A DRASTIC NEGATIVE IMPACT ?

Here is how these 13 men and women's actions have a drastic impact? Currently Dothan Fire Department, which operates 9 advanced life support units all across Dothan, assist ambulances coming into Dothan when they are faced with situations where advanced life support is needed.

Just today, Dothan Fire responded from the eastside of Ross Clark Circle to Gordon on Highway 84 East and County Road 81 to assist Ashford Rescue with a patient that CPR was in progress.

Dothan Fire Chief Larry Williams has maintained the position, as long as Dothan had fire units available to adequately cover the City of Dothan, his first priority, when called for mutual aid assistance he would respond. And Dothan Fire Department does.

Those patients are going to one of two hospital: Southeast Alabama Medical Center or Flowers Hospital.

But under the Chester Sowell, Board President: John McDaniel, Vice Chairman: Mary Mayo, Secretary: Bruce Wozow,DVM, Treasurer: Donavon L. Wewers,M.D., President of Medical Staff: Tellis Copeland: James Kelley, PHD: Taylor Knight: Don Owens: Lance Shepard: Bob Thenne: Walter Young, M.D. plan, is it fair for the City of Dothan to foot the bill to assist everyone else?

Unless SAMC and/or Flowers can not handle the patient and have to ship them out, they have the patient.

But, under Chester Sowell, Board President: John McDaniel, Vice Chairman: Mary Mayo, Secretary: Bruce Wozow,DVM, Treasurer: Donavon L. Wewers,M.D., President of Medical Staff: Tellis Copeland: James Kelley, PHD: Taylor Knight: Don Owens: Lance Shepard: Bob Thenne: Walter Young, M.D.: Southeast Alabama Medical Center is on "Critical Care Patient Diversion" or "full diversion" or "behavioral medicine diversion" almost weekly.

One official recently described Southeast Alabama Medical Center as having a new name      " Southeast Alabama Medical "Diversion" Center ".

And the new Chief Executive Officer who came from Colorado, he thinks he is above returning telephone calls. He thinks he is above working with the local community in partnership. In fact I have been told he will not return my call! So...

In fact some have compared his actions and that of the 13 members board as those like a former Dothan Police Chief who destroyed the Dothan Police Department - John Powell? Remember him? Under this 13 member board's reign several long time practicing physicians have quit practicing at SAMC. So if your physician does not ask them why?

The City of Dothan will have to foot the bill beginning October 1. Dothan City Manager Mike West and the Dothan City Commission will not leave the citizens of Dothan hanging like these 13 Board Members are doing.

But does Dothan City Manager Mike West and members of the Dothan City Commission have the obligation to continue allowing Dothan Fire to mutual aid volunteer ambulances across Houston County and those coming into Houston County to get to SAMC or Flowers Hospital?

The City of Dothan does not get the patient. The hospital does.

The 13 members of SAMC are appointed by members of the Houston County Commission. Chairman Culver has expressed his concern, very sternly, to SAMC. But until appointments expire the commission has no control authority over SAMC.

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WHATEVER YOU CALL ME, I AM THE ONLY ONE WITH THE COURAGE TO CALL THEM OUT ON THIS. AND I WILL LOOSE THEM AS A ADVERTISER. THE REGULAR MEDIA WILL NOT CALL THEM OUT ON THIS BECAUSE THEY FEAR LOOSING AD REVENUE AD REVENUE.

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BUT TO ME, LIVES ARE MORE IMPORTANT THAN AD REVENUE

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