Open Letter to Sutter/Summit CEO-Warren Kirk

July 31, 2002 An Open Letter to Warren Kirk

To: Mr. Warren Kirk
President & CEO
Alta Bates Summit Medical Center
350 Hawthorne Avenue
Oakland, CA 94609

Re: Dumping of Patients from Summit Pain Management Center

Dear Mr. Kirk

I am in receipt of a signed letter by you to the patients of the Summit Pain Management Center & Pain Clinic, and wonder if you have the slightest idea as to why you have betrayed the principles of a humane society by your actions in closing the clinic which has hurt so many fragile souls.

Since your June 10, 2002 letter has been wreaking havoc among the patients that have been dumped by Sutter/Summit, I have personaly gotten to know some of these patients and have spent many hours listening to their plight. Many are now in dire straights.

It is my humble opinion that you are directly to blame for so much emotional and physical suffering going on in the community at this very moment due to your actions which have left nearly 2000 pain patients scrambling to find health care. This is no way to treat those that experience deep levels of pain from a chronic illness or accident that may have placed them in a wheel chair. Have you lost your wits?

I have known cruel heartless bastards in my day, but in my humble opinion, you leave them all in the dust!

I have little to say to you other than to demand that you immediately offer an apology to all you have hurt, and to fully re-open the Summit Pain Management Center & Pain Clinic A.S.A.P. I already am aware of one patient who has tried suicide twice since being notified of the pain clinic closure, and the world needs to be aware of your actions before worse occurs.
Sincerely
Lynda B. Carson