Dr. Johnson:
So, what’s the moral of YOUR story? Let’s think about that for a moment.
Your mission seemed inspired – reopen a community hospital and add drug, alcohol, and psychiatric care in the heart of the country’s addiction epidemic, and hire the best of the best in the region to run it. It was risky, sure, but so many entities came together to assist in the success, and there were anniversaries, medical milestones, staff picnics, service expansions, and more employees than anyone expected.
On its face, resurrecting East Ohio Regional Hospital appeared to be wonderful economic development in Martins Ferry that had a positive impact throughout the Upper Ohio Valley.
Until it didn’t. And when it went bad, it went real bad, and then it got worse. Missed paydays, suspended health insurance, employee layoffs, and then, on a random, unannounced afternoon back in March, you instructed a staff member to create a ridiculous sign and tape it to the front door.
Why?
While there are rumors, accusations, and speculation as to why the closure took place, only you can explain the real reasons for the collapse, the lost jobs, and the health care crisis it caused. That’s also where the moral of YOUR story lies, and that’s OK because only you and your maker need to realize what turned the dream come true into the worst-feared nightmare.
But what a shame it all is.
Sincerely,
Sad & Disappointed
