I am shocked and astounded that Monroe Clinic mishandled the news of Dr. Turek's termination, showing no respect or concern for his patients or the community. As a 42-year veteran in health care, I have seen this happen too many times over the years. The first 25 years of my career right here in Monroe were at the Medical Center, during the time when health care was about the health and welfare of the patient, who always came first. I was trained to respect and revere the doctors who served the community. Our patients were not just numbers or dollars, but were the people that we, as doctors and nurses, had vowed to serve. I was proud to be a part of that organization.
I cannot give the exact timeline, but sometime in about the late '70s, the business world suddenly realized there was a profit to be made in health care. As the business world gradually took over, the quality of health care went downhill. Doctors and other employees were constantly pushed to see more patients. The focus has become the almighty dollar, not the welfare of the patient.
When the Medical Center closed and was bought out by Monroe Clinic, I saw a huge change in the way the patients were treated, and over the years health care gradually became more focused on money, yet, Monroe Clinic professes to be "not for profit." Wall Street and the banks are not the only entities that have operated on greed and profit.
I found it almost amusing that the same day the article about Dr. Turek appeared in the Monroe Times, an article also appeared regarding the Monroe Clinic giving away millions of dollars in health care. Strategy? I don't think they fooled anyone. In this day of economic recession it would be interesting to know the salaries and benefits of the CEO and administrative directors of Monroe Clinic.
In the years since, I have seen many good and dedicated employees terminated or forced to resign after being subjected to intolerable stress levels because they "didn't fit into the path the Monroe Clinic was taking," when more than likely, their focus was still on the welfare of their patients. The biggest travesty is the fact that Monroe Clinic professes to "walk in the footsteps of Jesus." As a Christian, I am deeply disturbed that the organization is using this terminology to cover and hide their actions and misdeeds.
Finally, I still have a deep respect for the physicians, practitioners, and my former co- workers who follow the vow called the "Hippocratic Oath", whereas the administrative department is apparently following a vow called the "Hypocritic Oath."
I cannot give the exact timeline, but sometime in about the late '70s, the business world suddenly realized there was a profit to be made in health care. As the business world gradually took over, the quality of health care went downhill. Doctors and other employees were constantly pushed to see more patients. The focus has become the almighty dollar, not the welfare of the patient.
When the Medical Center closed and was bought out by Monroe Clinic, I saw a huge change in the way the patients were treated, and over the years health care gradually became more focused on money, yet, Monroe Clinic professes to be "not for profit." Wall Street and the banks are not the only entities that have operated on greed and profit.
I found it almost amusing that the same day the article about Dr. Turek appeared in the Monroe Times, an article also appeared regarding the Monroe Clinic giving away millions of dollars in health care. Strategy? I don't think they fooled anyone. In this day of economic recession it would be interesting to know the salaries and benefits of the CEO and administrative directors of Monroe Clinic.
In the years since, I have seen many good and dedicated employees terminated or forced to resign after being subjected to intolerable stress levels because they "didn't fit into the path the Monroe Clinic was taking," when more than likely, their focus was still on the welfare of their patients. The biggest travesty is the fact that Monroe Clinic professes to "walk in the footsteps of Jesus." As a Christian, I am deeply disturbed that the organization is using this terminology to cover and hide their actions and misdeeds.
Finally, I still have a deep respect for the physicians, practitioners, and my former co- workers who follow the vow called the "Hippocratic Oath", whereas the administrative department is apparently following a vow called the "Hypocritic Oath."
