The Observation Deck

I had a short chat with a past member of the Lakewood Hospital Board.

He defended the opening of the new Avon Medical center and new Avon Hospital. He said a lot of people are moving out that way. When I pointed out that there are still more people living in Lakewood than Avon and Avon Lake combined and why should Lakewood residents have to go to Avon to see a doctor he got a bit testy and ended the conversation.

I have three observations. First, I haven't lost my touch. I angered a public official in under two minutes! Second, if the people "in charge" of Lakewood Hospital can't be bothered to defend the Hospital what hope is there? Third, the City really missed an opportunity when they failed to appoint me to the Board. I would have raised hell every day
and had fun doing it!!

I guess someone is working on a report on the Hospitals future. The report is to be released sometime soon.

Bill,

The Cleveland Clinic is going, going, gone.

City Hall has known this for years and kept it an open secret from the residents.

Anyone who has read the Deck knows this to be true.

One failure of the Deck and the “project” is that neither can hold City Hall's public officials accountable when they want to deceive the public. Oh, and they do.

See http://lakewoodobserver.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=7&t=12375.

City Hall is stealing from the residents.

And more people need to care.

Matt

Matthew John Markling wrote:Bill,

The Cleveland Clinic is going, going, gone.

City Hall has known this for years and kept it an open secret from the residents.

Anyone who has read the Deck knows this to be true.

One failure of the Deck and the “project” is that neither can hold City Hall's public officials accountable when they want to deceive the public. Oh, and they do.

See http://lakewoodobserver.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=7&t=12375.

City Hall is stealing from the residents.

And more people need to care.

Matt

Matt, where is this a failure of the project? The strength of the project since day one is
giving people a place that know things, or have questions.

What does Bill KNOW about this? Nothing, or Bill would have it out there.

What do you KNOW about Lakewood Hospital going? Put it out there.

This not about throwing poop from afar, though some do, so be it.

Look at Bill's post, and I like Bill. Unnamed official, Bill brags about getting mad in seconds
and then wanted to be on the board for "some fun."

I know many people saying the Cleveland Clinic is gone. Out of here, I hear it all the time,
and have since before this project was started.

It reminds me of a story Paul Tepley used to tell me. His neighbor was "warning him to
move, Lakewood is changing and not for the best. I asked if he ever moved out, and he
said, yeah the guy died 20 years ago.

Where are the facts? The proof that City Hall knows?

Mayor Ed FitzGerald was speaking with David Burns of Metro Clinic Outreach 6 years ago,
in case the Clinic left. I have been at meeting with Mayor Summers where the Clinic has
come up and I have said, "I wonder how much longer they will be here," and Mike nodded.
That is far different from knowing anything.

I have friends in every level of the Clinic and none have said Tuesday June... they are gone.

At the same time the Clinic does make a good case for why they are doing what they do.
Bill never mentions that he was against the clinic expansion a decade ago, and perhaps
that is when they started to look elsewhere for growth. I doubt it, but to say people
know and are lying, is wrong unless you have the proof they are.

.

I guess Mr. O'Bryan will be the only person in town that will be surprised when the Clinic finally sends out the press release that I'm sure is already written. "Dynamic synergies between our world class Centers of Excellence...excess capacities..."

We've gone from having a full service hospital with an real ER to a rehab facility and a first-aid station, those with insurance and being admitted shipped to Fairview all the rest to Metro. It all comes down to $$$ for the Clinic, follow the money they're just chasing the folks with the good insurance. And that's their "good case for why they are doing what they do."

Of course Mr. O'Bryan will continue to be their biggest cheer leader as long as they keep buying ad space. Hint to: dollar stores and chain drug stores.

Bill

Bill Trentel wrote:I guess Mr. O'Bryan will be the only person in town that will be surprised when the Clinic finally sends out the press release that I'm sure is already written. "Dynamic synergies between our world class Centers of Excellence...excess capacities..."

We've gone from having a full service hospital with an real ER to a rehab facility and a first-aid station, those with insurance and being admitted shipped to Fairview all the rest to Metro. It all comes down to $$$ for the Clinic, follow the money they're just chasing the folks with the good insurance. And that's their "good case for why they are doing what they do."

Of course Mr. O'Bryan will continue to be their biggest cheer leader as long as they keep buying ad space. Hint to: dollar stores and chain drug stores.

Bill

Bill

I will not be surprised, and I will not be surprised why.

1) Residents stopped growth North on Belle. (I do not have an issue with this.)

2) Residents stopped growth south on Belle. (I do not have an issue with this.)

3) Lakewood rewrote the lease, so they paid $1 million a year. (I do not have an issue
with this, was good move for Lakewood)

4) Lack of insured people using the facility. (Same reason they closed Huron, a closing
I covered first hand)

I will not be surprised when they leave, and I certainly wasn't trying to stop their growth
here while complaining about their growth elsewhere.

Cleveland Clinic, a for profit business, that runs as a non-profit has very little interest in
Lakewood Hospital. They take emergencies to other hospitals, and have left what we
have as an operating hospital, which is outlined in their horrible contract to the city.

I have two problems with this. One is most of the things Bill paints the Clinic as evil in,
are actually the fault of City Hall. It was the City that gave them the Hillard Medical
Building in some sort of offering that made no sense. It was the city(residents) that took
Lakewood Hospital out of the growth "scheme." I feel that is the resident's rights to protect
their neighborhood.

NO ONE has talked of a closing date. And as I said, people all over the clinic talk of them
wanting to close Lakewood. This is far different from Huron Road, where a year ahead
of time we knew of the closing, and the Observer in that community went hard at the
story, as the community was losing a hospital.

I have asked to see Lakewood Hospital books twice, and held them accountable far more
than you Mr. Trental. As for worrying about my advertising dollars/client dollars let's talk
about your client Ed FitzGerald and how he has greased the skids for the Clinic to leave
Lakewood and get Metro Hospital instead which seems to have fallen through.

Again Mr. Trental, I find many people merely project themselves in many comments,
so maybe in your business you say anything to keep a client, good luck finding the
person that says I am like that. Even in my graphic business I am known for telling
them the way it is, and walking away for the $$$$$ if I do not agree with the business
practices. It is why I left BP America, and many other companies.

So if you have proof the Hospital is closing I would love to see it or read it, and then
we can talk about what comes next. We can talk about the failures and those that helped
expedite the Clinic out of Lakewood.

Disclaimer - The Cleveland Clinic as well as every other Hospital are advertisers in
Observer newspapers and Lakewood Hosptial saved my life. I also told the Clinic they
could not buy ads in the Parma Observer, as the Parma Hospital was still City owned at
the time. Parma Hospital, and the city of Parma asked for that, and I went against Clinics
wishes to be in that paper for 5 years, until University Hospital took it over. A personal loss
to the business of over $100,000 and risked alienating the client forever. My doctor left the
Clinic because it was closing Lakewood Hospital. Since that time 5 years ago, she has
retired from practice.

OK Mr. Trental, let's hear how many big clients you have audited or said no to. When was
the last time you told someone with $100,000 or more to take a hike over principle or
good of community?

.

You never know:
http://online.wsj.com/news/articles/SB10001424052702304330904579137431462458414

[quote="Jim O'BryanWhat does Bill KNOW about this? Nothing, or Bill would have it out there.

What do you KNOW about Lakewood Hospital going? Put it out there.

This not about throwing poop from afar, though some do, so be it.

Look at Bill's post, and I like Bill. Unnamed official, Bill brags about getting mad in seconds
and then wanted to be on the board for "some fun."
[/quote]

What's the duty of a member of the Board Lakewood Hospital? Is it to attend the annual fund raiser, sit down and shut up or is it to preserve and improve the Hospital?

Members of the Board need to answer this question:

Why should a citizen of Lakewood have to drive to Lorain County to see a doctor?

Why should a citizen of Lakewood have to drive to Lorain County to see a doctor?[/quote]

They don't. There are plenty of doctors in the Ina Building and Lakewood Center. I still see my doctor in the Ina. If your doctor moved out there and it upsets you so much change to a doctor that is still in Lakewood.

Bill Burnett wrote:They don't. There are plenty of doctors in the Ina Building and Lakewood Center. I still see my doctor in the Ina. If your doctor moved out there and it upsets you so much change to a doctor that is still in Lakewood.

Now if this were a conversation about "What does Lakewood do when the Clinic pulls out..."

To my knowledge Metro Health has at least 4 floors in offices DowntowN. Most are geared
towards prenatal and maternity care, picking up where Lakewood Hospital was cutting back.
David Byrnes who was in "new opportunities" for Metro Health was often seen in Lakewood
with Ed FitzGerald talking about "options and opportunities" as Dave put it. I worked for Dave
awhile back. The office was over Burrows in Downtown Lakewood at the time!

Now, if we look at it through other eyes, it would seem that "Lakewood" has cooled in the
eyes of many health care providers.

What can Lakewood do to secure having the medical facilities a city of this size needs?

I have seen nothing proving they are leaving. I have heard tons, no one willing to put a
name or time frame on it. I would have to think at some point they could leave, and I do
not believe the contract is that much longer than 5 years.

Is the Clinic the answer, do we all wait to see where Health Care goes? I am not sure we
have that luxury." Is the Clinic the answer? Do we renegotiate contract?

Side note to Mr. Trental (Care to start a thread about any of your clients not being needed anymore?)


.

Scott Meeson wrote:You never know:
http://online.wsj.com/news/articles/SB10001424052702304330904579137431462458414

Perfect spot for the Hotel we will surely be getting. A $7,000 tax payer-funded feasibility study was completed and handed off to Planning and Development last year.

Jim O'Bryan wrote:

Bill Trentel wrote:I guess Mr. O'Bryan will be the only person in town that will be surprised when the Clinic finally sends out the press release that I'm sure is already written. "Dynamic synergies between our world class Centers of Excellence...excess capacities..."

We've gone from having a full service hospital with an real ER to a rehab facility and a first-aid station, those with insurance and being admitted shipped to Fairview all the rest to Metro. It all comes down to $$$ for the Clinic, follow the money they're just chasing the folks with the good insurance. And that's their "good case for why they are doing what they do."

Of course Mr. O'Bryan will continue to be their biggest cheer leader as long as they keep buying ad space. Hint to: dollar stores and chain drug stores.

Bill

Bill

I will not be surprised, and I will not be surprised why.

1) Residents stopped growth North on Belle. (I do not have an issue with this.)

2) Residents stopped growth south on Belle. (I do not have an issue with this.)

3) Lakewood rewrote the lease, so they paid $1 million a year. (I do not have an issue
with this, was good move for Lakewood)

4) Lack of insured people using the facility. (Same reason they closed Huron, a closing
I covered first hand)

I will not be surprised when they leave, and I certainly wasn't trying to stop their growth
here while complaining about their growth elsewhere.

Cleveland Clinic, a for profit business, that runs as a non-profit has very little interest in
Lakewood Hospital. They take emergencies to other hospitals, and have left what we
have as an operating hospital, which is outlined in their horrible contract to the city.

I have two problems with this. One is most of the things Bill paints the Clinic as evil in,
are actually the fault of City Hall. It was the City that gave them the Hillard Medical
Building in some sort of offering that made no sense. It was the city(residents) that took
Lakewood Hospital out of the growth "scheme." I feel that is the resident's rights to protect
their neighborhood.

NO ONE has talked of a closing date. And as I said, people all over the clinic talk of them
wanting to close Lakewood. This is far different from Huron Road, where a year ahead
of time we knew of the closing, and the Observer in that community went hard at the
story, as the community was losing a hospital.

I have asked to see Lakewood Hospital books twice, and held them accountable far more
than you Mr. Trental. As for worrying about my advertising dollars/client dollars let's talk
about your client Ed FitzGerald and how he has greased the skids for the Clinic to leave
Lakewood and get Metro Hospital instead which seems to have fallen through.

Again Mr. Trental, I find many people merely project themselves in many comments,
so maybe in your business you say anything to keep a client, good luck finding the
person that says I am like that. Even in my graphic business I am known for telling
them the way it is, and walking away for the $$$$$ if I do not agree with the business
practices. It is why I left BP America, and many other companies.

So if you have proof the Hospital is closing I would love to see it or read it, and then
we can talk about what comes next. We can talk about the failures and those that helped
expedite the Clinic out of Lakewood.

Disclaimer - The Cleveland Clinic as well as every other Hospital are advertisers in
Observer newspapers and Lakewood Hosptial saved my life. I also told the Clinic they
could not buy ads in the Parma Observer, as the Parma Hospital was still City owned at
the time. Parma Hospital, and the city of Parma asked for that, and I went against Clinics
wishes to be in that paper for 5 years, until University Hospital took it over. A personal loss
to the business of over $100,000 and risked alienating the client forever. My doctor left the
Clinic because it was closing Lakewood Hospital. Since that time 5 years ago, she has
retired from practice.

OK Mr. Trental, let's hear how many big clients you have audited or said no to. When was
the last time you told someone with $100,000 or more to take a hike over principle or
good of community?

.

Mr. O'Bryan

Your demeanor sure changes once the lens points in your direction and I am sure all of your nameless top-level inside sources will standby your integrity.

I guess I have been fortunate never to have client relationships where I've had to question their integrity like you seem to have had.

Back to the topic.
I will agree with Mr. Call that it is the weak appointees to the hospital board that have let us down the most. The lack of the city officials and their board appointees willingness to challenge the Clinic which has put us in this bad spot. Their number one mission should be to preserve the maximum amount of healthcare services within Lakewood. And for the Clinic, It's Wednesday, and they're only here to make money.

Sure you can blame the contract, but the city was always in the weak bargaining position. Once the model of community based hospitals was crushed by corporate healthcare, they only had one choice, join them and it was between the Clinic and UH. Sure our board seats are in the minority but it would be nice to see some resistance to the dismantling.

My top-level, inside sources have mentioned Metro too and it is the only likely option. But the reality is they will never restore most of the lost services.

Bill

Bill Trentel wrote:
Mr. O'Bryan

Your demeanor sure changes once the lens points in your direction and I am sure all of your nameless top-level inside sources will standby your integrity.

I guess I have been fortunate never to have client relationships where I've had to question their integrity like you seem to have had.

Back to the topic.
I will agree with Mr. Call that it is the weak appointees to the hospital board that have let us down the most. The lack of the city officials and their board appointees willingness to challenge the Clinic which has put us in this bad spot. Their number one mission should be to preserve the maximum amount of healthcare services within Lakewood. And for the Clinic, It's Wednesday, and they're only here to make money.

Sure you can blame the contract, but the city was always in the weak bargaining position. Once the model of community based hospitals was crushed by corporate healthcare, they only had one choice, join them and it was between the Clinic and UH. Sure our board seats are in the minority but it would be nice to see some resistance to the dismantling.

My top-level, inside sources have mentioned Metro too and it is the only likely option. But the reality is they will never restore most of the lost services.

Bill

Bill

When the lens is turned to me, as it has been since starting this, I answer the questions
when someone with ZERO facts or basis claims I can be bought off for a few dollars
or anything, I make sure he realizes he is wrong.Usually when some small minded person
says I am getting paid off, it is merely a projection of how cheap they can be bought.

Most people who say they have never had to question their clients, is wearing blinders
and with you comment, again I am sure it was just a projection of how low you can be bought.

Who is your top level source?

I would said Ed FitzGerald helped to grease the skids on losing the Clinic. Which is why
he was working so hard to get Metro in. Repeated meetings with Metro for months.

University Hospital has ZERO interest in Lakewood at this point, and the Clinic knows it.
Metro is going through a true upheaval from within, and is trying to sort out growth and
and what they are willing to do, and I have not heard Lakewood mentioned as anything
but potential clients on their main campus.

The Board? Or the people that appoint the board then never pays attention to their friends
who have a largely ceremonial position, as City Hall agreed to a contract that has no real
framework to hold the Clinic responsible. We traded A bullet point on campaign literature
for our health care future.


.

Another little note, only because Mr. Trentel seems to question everyone's integrity but
those that pay him money.

Every level of the Clinic, from the people at the front desk, to upper level management have
read Bill Call on the Deck. They all ask what "What his deal is?" I explain his "Deal" as Bill
explained his outrage to me, from the first time Bill and I talked about this topic over
drinks at Sullivan's. I know Bill's real deal with the Clinic, which he mentioned briefly.

THEY HAVE NEVER ASKED ME TO SHUT HIM UP OR CONTROL THE CONVERSATION.

When Bill demanded to see their books. The Clinic provided us with dates, times, and
offered to pay for lunch. At the meeting was A financial operating officer, two of their
lawyers, Jack Gustin, and I believe Fred DeGrandis' assistant, and NO BILL CALL.

At that meeting I explained as best I could Bill's complaints, which are actually few in
nature. Please notice he has not left Clinic healthcare for University or Metro.

THE CLEVELAND CLINIC HAS NEVER TRIED TO CONTROL ANY ASPECT OF THE OBSERVER
PROJECT, IN ANY OF THE CITIES WE OPERATE.
Which makes it far easier for me to take the high road in this.

Mr. Trentel I am just glad the graphics business was good enough to me, that I can afford
to question the integrity of my clients, and people I choose to work with. I don't have
to just take anything that stumbles through my door.

.

Bill Trentel wrote:I will agree with Mr. Call that it is the weak appointees to the hospital board that have let us down the most. The lack of the city officials and their board appointees willingness to challenge the Clinic which has put us in this bad spot. Their number one mission should be to preserve the maximum amount of healthcare services within Lakewood. And for the Clinic, It's Wednesday, and they're only here to make money.

Sure you can blame the contract, but the city was always in the weak bargaining position. Once the model of community based hospitals was crushed by corporate healthcare, they only had one choice, join them and it was between the Clinic and UH. Sure our board seats are in the minority but it would be nice to see some resistance to the dismantling.

Jim,

I realize that we are trying to be more “Facebook friendly” here on the Deck these days.

So, as to Bill Trentel’s above comments:





Matt

Bill Burnett wrote:Why should a citizen of Lakewood have to drive to Lorain County to see a doctor?

They don't. There are plenty of doctors in the Ina Building and Lakewood Center. I still see my doctor in the Ina. If your doctor moved out there and it upsets you so much change to a doctor that is still in Lakewood.[/quote]

When my urologist announced he was moving to Lorain County "in line with Clinic policy" I asked him what the policy was. He said the policy was to move doctors and services to the new facility in Avon. Since his office was located in Lakewood I think it’s fair to say that it is Clinic policy to move Lakewood doctors to Lorain County.

I didn’t say anything but I don’t have any intention of driving to Lorain County to see him. At this time it looks like my only option is to see someone from Metro. Which is fine but I am pretty sure most people will just make the drive to Lorain. That means they will be taking all that ancillary economic benefit with them. In keeping with Clinic Policy.

I did a search for doctors on my health insurance web site to see how many specialists were available in Lakewood. There weren’t any. At one time there were quite a few.

Of course there were a lot of doctors listed as being in Lakewood but many did not really have a presence in Lakewood. The numbers were either disconnected or the doctor was available in Lakewood one day a week, if you could get an appointment. The usual line was that they could see you next month unless you wanted to drive to Lorain County. If you wanted to drive to Lorain County you could see someone right away.

Ten years ago there was no need to leave Lakewood to see a specialist or other doctor. Now there is, in keeping with Clinic policy.

My wife had surgery at Lakewood Hospital on Thursday. We got to the hospital at 5:30 AM and were home by 1:00 PM. Everything went very well. The staff and surgeon were all great and the Hospital looked great.

There were about 30 surgeries scheduled for the morning. It looked like most were outpatient surgeries. Not too many years ago the gall bladder removal that my wife had meant a week in the hospital. I guess it’s that way with most surgeries.

Which means there is less and less need for hospital space. Given the rapid changes in technology we can anticipate even less need for hospitals in the future. Of course that begs the question: Why do we need brand new hospital in Avon? We don’t.

If the new facilities in Avon were needed to meet increasing demand for hospital space the Clinic wouldn’t be transferring doctors to Avon they would be hiring new doctors. However, the Clinic is not adding staff it is reducing staff by 10% system wide. Where does that leave Lakewood Hospital?

Here some stats on Lakewood Hospital:

2005 2012
ADMISSIONS 13,708 8,908
SURGERIES 6,748 5,900
ER VISITS 36,770 33,507.

The Cleveland Clinic is the General Motors of the health care industry but that’s a post for another day.