Evening star., 1948-01-08
ayConnpIaints.
Of 7 Ga||inger
Officials Probed
Medical Chiefs Warn
RuhIund About Wave
Of designations
By Thomos 6. Buchonon

By Thomas 6. Buchonon
Health Officer George C. Ruh-
land today began an investiga-
tion of complaints from Gal
linger Hospitals seven chief
medical officers that low pay
and limited opportunity for ad-
vancement soon will leave the
hospital staff riddled by resigna-
tionS.
His action followed receipt Of a
memorandum signed by the medical
service chiefs. The memorandum
twas dated November 20, but DR.
Rutland said he did not see II
until yesterday. Since 1t was writ
ten, one medical officer has re-
signed, and two others have an
nounced their intention to do SO.
Neither DR.. Rutland nor Gal
linger Supt. Alvin r. Sweeney could
account today for the delay in trans
mission of the memorandum, ad-
dressed to the health officer via
DR.. Sweeney. DR.. Sweeney said II
left his Office in November.
"It is felt that this hospital war
rants and needs men of top flight
capabilities, the memorandum
stated, "and that these positions
should be made attractive as
career and not merely be used as
stepping stones"
In general" the chief medical
officers declared, "these positions
have been filled with men who
would have liked to stay perma.
nently and who are or have become
second to none in the community
insofar as ability Is concerned, but
who have been forced to leave pri-
marily because of insufficient flnan-
cial Reimbursement"
Specific recommendations fol-
making the jobs more attractive
were:
1. Salary increases in the top
bracket jobs, according to length
of service. The chief medical Off
GERS are not governed by the
Ramspeck Act, allowing regular pay
increases.
2. Pay rates equal to those offered
by the Veterans Administration for
comparable jobs.
3. Pay or time off for overtime
work.
4. Permission to accept consulta-
ton fees from private sources tt
supplement the base pay.
S. Expense accounts to attend
outside medical meetings and pro-
fessional courses.
6. Free dining privileges in a sep.
arate dining room.
7. Hospital service at cost fol-
staff members and their families.
8. Better secretarial and technical
aid for chief medical officers.
8. Provision of opportunities fol
suitable research"
Rutland Sympathetic.
DR.. Rutland today declared he
was sympathetic to the doctors
desire for higher pay to match
rising living costs, and said, 1--WE
very likely will have to up the COM
pensation to the heads of our med
ical services"
Il personally am impressed" he
stated, that it is exceedingly diff
cult to attract really competent
man-not just some one who wants
job-and to hold him, at present
pay level"
DR.. Rutland emphasized, however
he was opposed to permitting staff
physicians to engage in private prac.
tice on the side. He explained he
felt the quality of their service tt
the District would suffer by the long
hours of work entailed in adding
outside cases to their staff duties
Confer on Appointment.
DR.. Rutland said DR.. Donald
johnson of New York City had been
comforting with him and might sue
ceed DR.. Leslie v. Dill, who has re-
signed as chief medical officer o1
the Gallinger obstetrical and gym
geological department.
He added the designations of DR.
Dill and DR.. Donald Effler, CHIEF
medical officer of the surgery de-
partment, were not surprising, In
view Of their intention not to remain
at Gallinger permanently. This was
made known when they took their
posts, he said.
He recalled that DR.. Joseph T.
tay Nf
department heads, left his 1881 job
last month to accept a $4,000 post
as dean Of the University of
Arkansas Medical School. DR.
George J. Maresh of Boston City
Hospital Is expected here tomorrow
to be interviewed as DR.. Roberts
possible successor.
DR.. Ruhland said he has referred
the Gallinger memorandum to the
departments personnel Office to
compare the pay Of the chief medical
officers with. existing civil service
levels. He said he expected to take
it up with the Commissioners when
he has studied the matter further.
The doctors affected by the salary
discussion are the ful-time members
of the Gallinger staff The chief
medical officers have important
administrative duties. Except in
pediatrics, psychiatry and tubercu-
losis. however, patients are treated
chiefly by the visiting staff of more
than 100 doctors from George Wash
ington and Georgetown Universities.
These doctors are not on the Gal
linger payroll.
Malcolm KerIin Honored