Moving forward

I had some goals and expectations when I decided to run for hospital commissioner, primarily involving increasing utilization of CMC while maintaining the financial solvency of the facility.

Since my election, however, I’ve been provided with a lot of material to read, and I have received many unsolicited comments from community members and hospital employees. As a result, those goals have rapidly changed.

Many people in this community remember very clearly the padlocking of the hospital in the 1970s for lack of medical personnel. I DO NOT want to be on a Board that is responsible for a closure of our medical facility, which is a very real possibility if our entire medical staff were to leave. We need to have the courage and support of the community to address our issues head on.

I understand that there are complicating factors involved in confronting our challenges, but I do not believe them to be of sufficient merit to risk the loss of a medical staff in which many in the community (including myself) have great trust.

One of my favorite quotes is from Dante and seems relevant in this situation: “The hottest places in hell are reserved for those who, in times of great moral crisis, maintain their neutrality.”

We will move forward with a beautiful medical facility, a great staff, and the courage of our convictions.

Betty Brueske

Commissioner

Douglas, Grant, Lincoln, Okanogan Counties Hospital District 6