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The Wrangell Medical Center Board of Directors met last Wednesday.
Board chair Woody Wilson was present via teleconference. Vice chair Bernie Massin chaired the meeting instead.
Marla Sanger, the interim CEO of Wrangell Medical Center, briefly discussed plans for the new hospital. She says she sees the project moving in a good direction, although it can be a slow process at times.
Board member Judy Allen brought up a topic she says she’d like to see discussed in future meetings–delivering babies.
She said that while the initial decision may have been made because of the high cost of liability insurance, there are many more issues that should be taken into consideration.
She talked about the financial cost to families to travel to either Ketchikan or Juneau to deliver. She also mentioned the stress on a family to have to make that decision. Finally, she said there is a cultural and community component.
Allen said the Shakes rededication was a beautiful time for the community and it made her think babies could bring more of that feeling to this town.
Massin brought up a concern regarding the treatment of the Fire Department and its volunteer EMTs at the hospital.
Marla Sanger apologized on behalf of the hospital and said she would look into the complaints.
There was an executive session mid-meeting to discuss the case of Wrangell v. Rea, et al. There was no discussion of the session during the public meeting.
