It can, should grow at its current site

Just what the heck (and, yes, I’m being polite) is going on with the so-called administrators of Stevens Hospital? “My” hospital is going downhill at a fast rate and it better stop before it’s too late!

Until my position was eliminated over three years ago, I worked for “my” hospital for 15 years, volunteering before that. I currently am a member of the Hospital Auxiliary. My two daughters were born there, were junior volunteers when they were in high school and later were employed there. I have had 18 surgeries there, along with two others within the confines of the Stevens community. I cannot comprehend the idea that the administrators want to even consider moving Stevens to a new location, north and east of where it sits now. Having lived most of my life in the Edmonds/Lynnwood area up until a year ago, I wonder just where they think they can find a chunk of property large enough for a new facility.

My husband and I toured the brand new huge addition to the Skagit Valley Hospital in Mount Vernon last year. This “addition” is their brand new hospital and they did it for approximately $96 million! Seems to me that Stevens should and can grow right at its current site.

For the past 38 years, Stevens Hospital has had a very special, warm place in my heart. I cannot bear the thought that two administrators, in particular, can come in, and destroy our community hospital! With the article in The Herald, regarding conflict with a consultant and paying her $1,000 a day brings a question to mind. I worked at Stevens supposedly when the hospital was in a financial bind. Now that it’s barely into financial black ink, where is the justification to spend $127,000 plus expenses to the wife of a hospital executive?

Linda Solbeck