Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1948-08-06
plan 10 Settle
Control Studied
For Ga||inger
Medical Society Unit
Would Put Direction
Under Health Officer
By GEORGE Beveridqe

By George Beveridee
The Commissioners had before
them today strong recommended
ton for revisions at Gallinger
Hospital to end struggle for con-
troll" of the hospital between the
District Health Officer and George
Washington and Georgetown Uni
versity medical schools.
Criticism of the present Gallinger
set-up and number of corrective
proposals were contained in re-
port made public late yesterday by
Commissioner Guy Mason and sub
mitted by the Committee on Medi-
cal Care in Public Institutions Ut
the District Medical Society
The report pointed out that par
ticipation of the medical schools at
Gallinger are valuable contribu-
tons" and that anything which
would destroy the relationship be-
tween the schools and Gallinger
Hospital would decidedly not be in
the public interest"
At the same time, however, the
committee. headed by DR.. Maurice
A. Selinger, said it appears that
only patients classed as suitable
clinical material" for teaching pur-
poses receive the close attention
of the professors, their associates,
assistants and medical students"
Reports Rooms Taken Over.
1t added:
l. Many rooms in the hospital
designed originally for patients have
been converted to offices for repre-
sentatives from the schools.
2. Faculties of the schools are
primarily interested in selected pa
tients suitable for teaching and in
vestigative purposes. In mental
diseases. pediatrics, tuberculosis and
some other conditions, their inter-
est is slight"
3. Capable doctors paid by the
District, in many instances, are
directed in the care of their pa
tients by Junior members of the
teaching stats of the medical
schools often less well quail
fed from the standpoint Of age as
we'll as experience"
Inadequate funds and small SAL
aries OF paid resident doctors at
Gallinger was another reason cited
for the considerable criticism that
has been heaped on the institution.
Would Revise Control.
Instead of the present practice OF
medical policies controlled by a
chief of staff who, in turn, is paid
by and responsible to a committee
made up of medical school officials.
the committee urged that policies
be directed by the District health
officer.
A young, energetic physician,
well trained in hospital and medical
school ADMINISTRATION and without
previous connection with local in
situations" should be named med
ical director of the hospital, with
full and complete authority over the
entire personnel" the report pro-
posed.
Commissioner Mason said he has
been turning over in his mind"
the possibility of hiring "a capable
doctor" who could fulfill the jobs
both of superintendent, now held by
DR.. Alvin r. Sweeney, and chief Of
staff, by Dr. P. S. Rossiter.
The city heads are looking for
such a man" now and have had cor
respondence with several prospects,
Mr.. Mason said First, however, the
Commissioners must get authority
for payment of salary adequate
enough to attract the man We
want he added
Rossiter Due to Retire.
Meanwhile, Mr.. Mason disclosed
he has asked the medical schools to
request DR.. Rossiter to remain on
duty as chief of staff for another
six months" in the absence of
suitable replacement. He is sched-
uled to retire September /.
The medical committee also rec
commended formation of an advisory
board consisting of prominent civic
leaders and members Of profess
sional, religious and business groups
to laid the health officer in ad-
ministration of the hospital"
Mr.. Mason praised this as a
Sound suggestion" The present
Gallinger Board of Visitors, ap-
pointed by the Commissioners. he
added, is extremely inactive"
Another proposal that the Com
missioners seek higher civil service
ratings and salaries for resident
doctors at Gallinger lis a prob
lem we already recognize" Mr..
Mason declared.
! But he added that "our present
fiscal situation makes any moves
right now impossible" At the
present revenue rate. he said. the
city will have. a deficit Of $500 COO
in 1850.
The committee report said a
further barrier to attracting doctors
has been brought about by charges
and countercharges which are con-
stantly appearing in the local
press"
Members of the medical society
committee, besides DR.. Selinger, in
clude Dr. Carolyn s. Pincock, Or.
Leslie w. French, DR.. A. Clagett
Gray and DR.. j. Ross Veal.
Miss Randolph Resigns
Health Education Post
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