Mayor responds to criticism of CHI’s letter to the editor

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DEVILS LAKE — Devils Lake Mayor Dick Johnson has been in the limelight recently after writing an open letter in which he publicly expressed his displeasure with the local hospital in Devils Lake. Since then, the local mayor has received comments of concern and criticism from county citizens.

Johnson emailed local news stations saying he felt it was necessary to correct the record based on comments made in response to his letter.

“I was appalled by the response of the CHI representative, Mercy Hospital Acting President Mariann Doeling, regarding the serious situation facing the community of Devils Lake with respect to the health care provided to it. provided,” Johnson said. “I have personally discussed this issue with CHI on several occasions.”

The mayor said he spoke with CHI Health senior vice president and chief financial officer Janette M. Wojtalewicz in August last year about her concerns about county health care, especially the lack of collaboration between the hospital and the clinic.

More: An open letter regarding health care at Devils Lake

“When Ms. Wojtalewicz visited Mercy Hospital, she toured the facility to see firsthand the poor condition of the physical plant in which CHI operates,” the mayor said. “The building is still heated with the original boiler of its construction.”

Johnson said this example of what he calls the establishment’s “insufficiency” is not the most significant. He also said the emergency room, surgical facilities and rehabilitation facilities are not up to what would be considered state of the art. , that nearly all routine procedures and treatments must be referred to hospitals outside the community, including Jamestown and Grand Forks, causing delays and inconvenience.

According to the mayor, Doeling allegedly said the mayor never contacted her to ask about “a contentious relationship” and said she did not believe there was a contentious relationship.

Johnson said he believed there was either a lack of acknowledgment of an issue that was repeatedly communicated clearly, or a strong lack of communication within the organization.

“Devils Lake deserves health care from an organization that will make a serious effort to connect with the community,” Johnson said.

Johnson said he believes the “well trained and hardworking” staff at Mercy Hospital deserve better leadership and the community of Devils Lake deserves better health care.

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