Evening star., 1948-03-05
Rutland Asks
GaIIinger Probe
ByMedicaI Unit
Recent Criticism Hit
In Request Made to
Dr.. Holden, President

Health Officer George G. Ruhland
has asked the District Medical So
ciety to appoint a committee to
make an investigation of Gallinger
Hospital.
In letter to DIR. Raymond T..
Holden, president of the society, DR..
Rutland said the recent criticism
of the hospital has had q bad ef-
feet on the patients, employees and
the public.
while I welcome constructive
criticism" DR.. Ruhland wrote DR..
Holden, II feel that much of the
publicity that has been leveled at
Gallinger recently has not been
constructive, has not been useful,
but has been entirely destructive
We who are finally responsible for
Gallinger Hospital are quite aware
Of the needs and shortcomings in|
the service of that institution
Through the years, we have pre-
sented requests for needed additions
to the buildings, as well as other
improvements, also personnel and
equipment.
Names Three Doctors.
DR.. Ruhland said the type of
criticism he regards as destructive
was that made by DR.. C. F.. Ges-
chickter, pathologist OF Georgetown;
DR.. Robert j. Coffey, head of the
department of surgery, Georgetown,
and DR.. Brian Blades, holding al
similar position with George Wash
ington.
He feels rather keenly that,
whatever criticism these men may
have felt was necessary, should have
been presented to the officials re-
sponsible for the institution, rather
than have been presented in a SEN
sational manner to the press"
Meanwhile, 1t was learned that
of Gallinger by the
United States Public Health Service
under the Federal Security Admin
istration would receive serious con-
sideration" should the District Com
request such a change.
AS a Federal institution, the hos
pital would be freed of the financial
difficulties which have marked its
operation as a District hospital
"Ift the District Commissioners
were to ask us to take over Gallinger
we would certainly give the matter
serious consideration" Federal Sc
curity Administrator Ewing said
today. He said, however. that I'VE
hadn't even thought of it" prior to
a question by reporters.
Would Ask Howard Share.
The agency would insist, he said,
that Howard University Medical
School share teaching opportunities
with the white medical
those at George Washing
ton and Georgetown Universities.
FWA4 is responsible for the ad-
of Howard University
and for development of training op-
portunities for Negro doctors
throughout the country.
DR.. Ruhland, in asking for an
told DR.. Holden he
believes the medical society could
be of definite service to the COM
munity. He asked that stress be
put on the following points:
!. The needs of the institution
as a physical plant. He said the
report should include an investiga-
ton of the record Of the responsible
officers and whether they are aware
Of these needs and have presented
them to proper Government agen-
cies.
Cost Issue Raised.
2. The quality of service. Is the
quality of service inferior to that
Of other hospitals in the COM
3. The cost Of operating the hos
pital. This should also be on a
comparative basis, preferably with
responsible for similar
services.
4. Is the setup Of divided au-
thority in the management of the
desirable and, If not, how
can it best be resolved?
DR.. Ruhland said it would be
desirable if the investigating COM
mittee could have its report ready
for presentation to the congress
sional committees considering the
District budget.