• Proud to be a nurse • Wilcox Hospital taken captive • Strongly supports nurses • More support for nurses • Our heady Congress Proud to be a nurse In May I graduated from Kaua‘i Community College as an RN
• Proud to be a nurse
• Wilcox Hospital taken captive
• Strongly supports nurses
• More support for nurses
• Our heady Congress
Proud to be a nurse
In May I graduated from Kaua‘i Community College as an RN and began working at Wilcox Hospital shortly thereafter. However, just a few days after finishing my orientation, the nursing strike began. Because I had only been employed for five weeks I was not eligible to join the union and therefore had to make the difficult choice as to whether or not I should cross the picket line. I ultimately decided not to cross because I truly believe in what the nurses are striking for: patient safety. After all, as nurses we adhere to a code of ethics which states “The nurse will advocate and protect the health, safety and rights of the patient.”
Recently I attended a nurses’ meeting at the strike headquaters and was moved to tears by the nurses’ display of courage, altruism and devotion.The nurses are united and stronger than ever, however they need the support of our community during these very difficult times.
Thank you to all the nurses, you make me proud to be part of this wonderful profession. A special thank you to Miss Sandi Niitani, you are an incredible nurse, mentor and friend.
Wilcox Hospital taken captive
The striking nurses at Wilcox Hospital have been trying to tell us that our community hospital and major healthcare group, KMC, have been operating in crisis under HPH management and in need of drastic change. It wasn’t until I read Dr. Evslin’s viewpoint “Wilcox Health and the broken promise” in The Garden Island, that I realized how critical the situation has really become. As Dr. Evslin laid out written promise after promise made by HPH, how each had been broken and the resulting outcome, a sense of anger began welling up inside of me. I suddenly realized that our local hospital and clinic had been covertly taken captive and ravaged by outside interests. The day-to-day operations, financial assets and future direction of our Kaua‘i hospital and clinic are no longer controlled locally, but directed by an outside entity who does not understand or care to understand the unique needs and attitudes of our island. If HPH continues at the current rate, the once vibrant healthcare system that Kaua‘i has known and depended upon for years will be left in shambles. Doctors, nurses and other healthcare professionals whom we trust our health to, will continue leaving Kaua‘i at an even faster rate causing a devastating impact on our quality of life.
We as a community can no longer afford to sit back, watch and hope that the situation will resolve itself. We must ALL become involved. First, by demanding that HPH return to the bargaining table with a real desire to reach an immediate and fair agreement with the nurses. The Kaua‘i County Council took the first step by passing a resolution calling for HPH to return to bargaining with the nurses. Now we, the citizens, need to call Wilcox Hospital at 245-1122, insist on speaking to an administrator regarding the strike, let them know the current nurse to patient ratio system is unacceptable and that this strike needs to be resolved immediately. Secondly, the State Health Planning Agency (SHPDA) needs to get involved and review the “certificate of need” submitted by HPH when it acquired Wilcox Hospital. I urge all of you to contact County Council members, state legislators, the governor and federal representatives and request they press SHPDA to conduct this review to see if HPH has followed through on its promises.
We don’t have to feel helpless, unable to rectify this dilemma. Speak up, take action and make a difference for our island’s future.
Strongly supports nurses
We recently returned from our 20th annual trip to the beautiful island of Kaua‘i. As a frequent visitor, and a healthcare provider myself, I was very surprised and disturbed to see picket signs in front of Wilcox Hospital. I have often considered relocating to Kaua‘i because of the fine reputation of Wilcox Hospital. After I returned home, I searched your newspaper and found the recent article by Lee Evslin giving the background of this serious breach of trust and dismantling of what has been a fine healthcare and health-giving institution on the island.
Perhaps I was naive in thinking that the spirit of aloha would always exist even in the administration of institutions whose function is to care for people and help them to thrive. I strongly support the nurses and the people of Kaua‘i. Aloha!
Ultrasonographer
Oakland, Calif.
More support for nurses
From 1980 until 2004, when I retired from my private practice in Kalaheo to become a part-time teacher for the University of Washington medical students and medical residents that rotate through the Boise VA Medical Center, I had worked very closely with the nurses (RNs & LPNs) of Wilcox Hospital. I personally observed their excellent skills and knowledge and their concern and dedication towards patient care, often going far above and beyond what was expected.
Having worked with, taught, helped and learned from these nurses I understand their concern for patient care and safety.
Even though I am not a big fan of unions, in this particular situation I strongly support the nurses and their cause.
- Thomas Harrison, MD
Boise, Idaho
Our heady Congress
Recent public criticism of members of Congress is totally misplaced.
Our thoughtful and concerned representatives in Washington are dealing with life and death issues such as gay marriage, flag burning, and bills similar to Senate Resolution 539 congratulating the Department of Agronomy in the College of Agriculture at Kansas State University for 100 years of excellent service to Kansas agriculture.
Because of the long hours spent dealing with these pressing issues, Congress has no time to waste on trifles such as global warming, putting an end to that nonsense in Iraq, providing affordable medical care for American citizens or repairing our soon to fail Social Security system.
There’s no question about it, Congress deserves congratulations and thanks for the fine work they are doing for us — not carping criticism.
- John A. Broussard
Kamuela, Hawai‘i
