I have had a number of professional relationships with The Queen’s Medical Center over 40 years. My current position gives me a window into a variety of activities there, some at the highest levels of administration.

I fear that Queen’s has been unfairly portrayed in several recent commentaries in the Star-Advertiser.

Queen’s is deeply mission-driven: Quality and access are paramount. Whether it is inpatient dialysis, skull base operations, head and neck surgery, radiation oncology, trauma or many other programs, Queen’s has built world-class services without primary regard to profitability or finance. Representations to the contrary are flatly wrong.

All health care providers are living through a period of scrutiny and change. Accountability to payers and patients is extremely important, especially with regard to quality and safety of care. The leaders at Queen’s who make difficult decisions have proven to be judicious, data-savvy, committed and collaborative.

I have no reason to distrust their judgment in recent staffing decisions. I have “no dog in this fight,” but I feel compelled to make these clear observations.

George McPheeters, M.D.

Chief medical officer, UHA Health Insurance

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