Telegram-herald. ([Grand Rapids, Mich.) 18??-1892, 1891-05-28
EXPLANATORY CORRESPONDENCE.
The Prsstaent and oneers of the L. y
A. Home Write Open Letter

a. Home Write an Open Letter.
To Aessrs. sidney Z. Stevens ehss- 4. sligh,
francis Liiles aad l. J. kina.e. Clti1ehs
Committee
GESrLEaEs-rhe following preamble
and petition or requests sent 10y you TO
the trustees of the l.. b. 4. Home and
Hospital, was received IN due time, and
reads as follows;
I'VE, the undersigned, citizens OF
Grand Rapids, having deeply at heart
the Interests of the L. b. A. Home and
Hospital. beng proud OF lts success 10
the past. believing that such success was
largely due 10 It's former liberal policy,
and being confident that is future
prosperity depends upon the hearty
support and cooperation OF all citizens
OF whatever condition, do respectfully
make the following request:
"First-That IN the management OF
the medical, and surgical departments
of the II. =. A. Home and Hospital.
equal rights, privileges and representa-
ton be accorded TO ali reputable and
legally registered physicians OF al
schools.
"Second-That all patients entering
the hospital shall be allowed the PRIV
lege of selecting and calling To treat
them the physician or surgeon OF their
choice"
In reply TO the above we will say that
We are glad 10 know that you and the
petitioners have heartfelt interest IN
the u. b. A. Home and Hospital, and
tina. you are proud OF Its success IN the
past; and after reading this reply, We
| hope that your and the petitioners IN
terest and pride may continue. AS TO
the former liberal policy OF the instl-
tuition" you speak OF. and upon which
the future welfare OF the L. Il. A.
Home and Hospital depends, we will
say 1t has not been changed IN the
least, and therefore we shall hope TO
have the hearty cooperation of all the
citizens for It's support in the future.
AS TO your hrst request, We Will say
| that all reputable and legally registered
| physicians of the schools of medicine
are and always have been accorded
equal rights and privileges IN the u. b.
\. Home and Hospital.
In reply to your second request, We
will say, and We wish 1t 10 be distinctly
understood, that all patients entering
the hospital have now and always have
been allowed the privilege of selecting
and calling to treat them the surgeon
or physician of their choice.
| A word or two as to the appointment
| of the medical and surgical staff OF the
| hospital. The business and work of the
| hospital had so increased within the
| last few years, that II became neces-
sary TO have more systematic organl-
zation and a medical and surgical staff
| TO do the charitable work of the instltu-
ton ard look after and treat patients
not otherwise provided for, and upon
| whom we call In cases of emergency;
| also to furnish a course of lectures TO
the students IN the training school for
nurses. Knowing of the antagonism
| existing between the different schools
of medicine and their teachings, and
believing that If they could not har-
monte and work together outside OF
the hospital, that they would not with
in, therefore we thought 1T for the best
interest of home and hospital to
select its staff from the members of
one school only. We do not know of
any hospital of this country whose staff
is mixed one, composed of members
of different schools of medicine whose
teaching and practice are opposed to
each other.
We hope that you and the petitioners
may feel that we have acted fairly and
justly with the physicians of the city,
and all patients who enter the home
and hospital, and be willing to join with
us IN promoting its best interests. In
so doing we believe that your hereafter
love for, and prid in the institution will
be increased a hundred fold.
| CHAs. SHEPARD, President.
| MARION l.. WHITLEY, Vice-President.
Anna Bissell, Wealthy NJ. Morrison,
Marie +. Widdicomb, Cora B. Ganson,
Noyes..L. Avery, Thos. ID. Gilbert, Geo
w. Gay, VIM. WIddicomb, trustees OF
the u. B. A. Home and Hospital.