Children’s Hospital physicians speak out
On Tuesday morning, El Paso Children’s Hospital Chief Executive Officer Mark Herbers announced the hospital filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy.
The decision came after Children’s was given a final term sheet by the University Medical Center board. Herbers said it denied the UMC proposal to essentially avoid a takeover by UMC.
ABC-7 spoke with two EPCH physicians who said they support the decision to file for bankruptcy. They said it was not the ideal outcome, but it will eventually make EPCH a freestanding medical facility.
Dr. Chetan Moorthy, Medical Director of Radiology at EPCH, said the announcement did not come as a shock to the staff because administrators and the board kept them informed through the entire process.
“There were times when we were really optimistic, but were also prepared for the idea that things may not go the way we want,” said Dr. Moorthy.
“Believe it or not, most of the medical staff preferred this option.”
Dr. Moorthy said EPCH hoped UMC would serve as a partner, but felt UMC did not fulfill that obligation. There was a lack of trust, he said.
“Unfortunately, as the process went on most of us felt a little more anxious about getting into a partnership with a hospital that most of us didn’t trust,” said Dr. Moorthy.
Dr. Moorthy said the staff has been assured that hospital operations will not change, current employees will be paid and employee turnover will be fulfilled.
Most importantly, physicians will continue to care for the hospital’s patients.
“We know what El Paso needs, we’re here to deliver it,” said Dr. Moorthy.
They way new doctors are recruited may continue, but at a slow pace. Recruitment has slowed down because of the uncertainty in the last several months.
“The morale is good,” said Dr. Tamara Fitzgerald, a pediatric surgeon who also supports EPCH.
Dr. Fitzgerald said there are about a hundred physicians who moved to El Paso for the purpose of working at El Paso Children’s.
“They are committed to making sure this hospital succeeds and that children continue to get the care they should get. I don’t think anything is going to get in the way of that,” said Dr. Fitzgerald.
