New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1915-12-26
HOSPITAL BOARD
ASKED TO QUIT
81 Physicians Affected in
Shake-Up in Cumberland
Street Institution.
KINOSBURY PLANS
NEW SYSTEM
Reorganization To BE Made
Along Line in Operation at
Johns Hopkins.

John A. Kingsbury, Commissioner Of
Charities, announced last night that he
had requested the members OF the medi-
cal board Of the Cumberland Street
Hospital in Brooklyn to tender their
designations to him by tomorrow.
This action, which will affect fifty
seven Brooklyn physicians and sur
geons, is not 10 be considered as a
reflection on their reputation, either
individually or collectively, Mr.. Kings
bury said. 49,,
II is the result OF a plan which he
has had under consideration for some
time to do away with bulky and un-
wieldy medical boards for men who
will give their whole time to the in
terests Of the hospital.
On the advice of DR.. Walter Gray
Crump, Dr. William H. DieIenback and
DR.. Charles l.. Johnston, prominent
Homeopathic physicians, Commissioner
Kingsbury has recommended the tunda-
mental reorganization Of the medical
service and several Improvements IN
the physical plant and equipment
Under the new system the medical
staff will be divided into four depart
ments in charge Of the following
heads: Department OF surgery Or. j.
HUXLEY Schall; department OF medi-
cine. Dr. f. Rooney Fske; department
of obstetrics, DR.. Herbert {. Allen. and
department Of gynecology, DR.. J. Fran
els Ranken.
Or. Schall is the only new member
Of the executives OF the departments.
His three colleagues, Al present mem
bers Of the medical board. will resign
only TO be appointed TO their new posi-
tiops. Commissioner kingsbury said
that probably several other doctors
would he reappointed.
In his letter requesting the resigna-
tion Of each member Mr.. Kingsbury
says, in part:
For some time have had under
consideration a plan for the reorgani-
zation of the medical service IN the
hospitals Of the Department Of Public
Charities IN general line with the
scheme Of organization now IN opera
ton in leading hospitals in the coun-
try, such as Johns Hopkins and the
Massachusetts General Hospital. IL
is the plan which / have followed in
the organization of the new Green.
point Hospital, in the Borough OF
Brooklyn.
I'm developing this reorganization |
have secured and shall secure IN con-
noction with the reorganization Of the
medical service Of each hospital, the
advice Of a committee Of distinguished
physicians and surgeons consisting. so
far as possible Of men totally dissc-
c;ated with the medical stat Of the
hospital in order to assure the adop-
tion OF programme free from any
suspicion Of selfishness. The plan OF
reorganization is not TO be regarded as
a reflection upon the existing medical
hoard or any Of its members. Its sole
aim and purpose is TO substitute
small and responsible medical stan
with continuous service for large and
generally irresponsible medical board
with constantly changing and rotating
service"
After outlining the new plan OF orr
qanization under four departments, the
letter continues: 81 have given this re-
port careful consideration, and have de-
termined 70 put it into effect not later
than January J. 1915. Accordingly, J
have asked the advisory committee 70
submit for my consideration names or
men whom they recommend - NIL the
important positions OF chiefs Of the
four departments.
"In order that may proceed with my
plans without delay | shall be & ad,
therefore, 70 receive your resignation
as promptly as suits your convenience,
but not later than Monday, December
o."
Commenting on his action last night,
Mr.. Kingsbury said that any large and
unwieldy body, composed Of fifty-seveni
men, no matter how conscientious. did
not .onduce to the best results. I'm
such instance everybody's business is
nobodys business" he said. 1T is the
purpose OF our new scheme TO localizee
and centralize responsibility. One Of
the first official acts of the new board
will be to make a recommendation to
tear down the present old structure and
replace il with a modern hospital
building"