The family for which Fort Oglethorpe’s Fuller Cancer Center was named has raised concerns about the departure of Dr. Noel Scidmore, who served as director since the clinic opened in 2004.
In an April 14 letter to Hutcheson Medical Center board chairman Stan Porter and president Charles Stewart, Mike Fuller questioned the decision to not to renew Dr. Scidmore’s contract when it expires in May.
Mr. Fuller, who with his wife Lelia donated $1 million toward construction of the center, said in the letter he received outstanding care when he was Dr. Scidmore’s patient.
“Stan, my real concern is Cancer Center patients,” Mr. Fuller wrote. “Cancer is the most dreaded word in our language. I ask that decisions be made on real compassion, not just for business sake.”
Hutcheson spokeswoman Agnes Cloud said there was no official vote on Dr. Scidmore’s contract. The matter was discussed in a closed personnel session at the March board meeting, she said.
“This is not uncommon in the practice of health care,” Ms. Cloud said. “Things change or evolve with programs and in order to take programs to the next level, they have to make decisions (about personnel).”
Hutcheson officials earlier this year announced plans for a $47 million plan to restructure debt, upgrade equipment and renovate buildings on the main campus.
The announcement came on the heels of the hospital’s first profitable year since 2006. A turn-around team headed by Mr. Stewart tightened operations and controlled expenses, leading the hospital to post $815,000 in net income in 2006 after more than $12 million in losses over three years.
Dr. Scidmore did not return a call for comment Wednesday. In an interview about the Fuller Center in November 2007, Dr. Scidmore talked about the center’s success and his commitment to it.
The center was the first in the Chattanooga area and Northwest Georgia to have a digital mammogram machine. A patient could enter the center, have a breast scan, MRI and a biopsy in one day.
He praised Hutcheson officials for sparing no expenses for state of the art equipment to fight breast cancer and other cancers.
I am deeply saddened and disappointed at the decision by Boardchairman Stan Porter and President Charles Stewart of Hutcheson Medical Center not to renew Dr. Noel Scidmore's contract. Not only did the medical center turn a profit for the first year, but many people are becoming aware of the state of the art facilities that affords patients to fight cancer and recieve answers quickly without the inconvenience of going from facility to facility to receive the necessary care. Dr. Scidmore treats his patients with dignity and respect while providing them the very best care possible. This is an outrage and a travesty not only for the people of Northwest Georgia, but for anyone who has been fortunate to receive quality care from this outstanding physician. I pray not for the patients he has treated, but for the ones who will need his expert care and concern in the future. Dr. Scidmore treats the disease and prays for the soul. What wonderful characteristics for a Christian doctor! Please reconsider this bad decision. Karen Scealf Wilson
I agree that this is very unfortunate for the North Georgia Area. Dr Scidmore is the best physician I have met in over 30 years of working in the medical profession. He studies and knows the patient and their history before their appointments, he prays with them and for them, he lets them know about tests as soon as they become available, and he will talk to them any time that they call. The kind of publicity that his patients spread word of mouth you cannot buy. I know Dr Scidmore will continue to take wonderful care of his patients wherever he goes but what a shame he will no longer be taking care of our friends, neighbors and family.
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