STREATOR — No official decision was made today during this morning’s meeting of the state Health Services review board regarding Saint Mary’s Hospital transition to OSF HealthCare in Streator. In front of an overflow crowd of over 200, 33 different speakers, many of which were concerned residents, spoke before the board. Many speakers received applause from the crowds, while three other speakers were booed following their statements.
Before the start of the meeting, people were asked to leave the room because of fire code, which is set at 80 people within the city council chambers. Many people were left to standing in the entrance way to the chambers, while others stood in the two hallways next to the room. Board officials say because the meeting was already made in a public notice with the address, they could not move the meeting to a new location, nor a new time, which sparked some outrage in several people.
Joyce Kmetz, a concerned citizen, said, “We need to use the facility we have. I am not against OSF, I’m against losing the hospital. Many seniors cannot travel (to Ottawa, Pontiac or Peru).
Joe Scarbeary, a member of the Streator Fire Department said, “Ambulance service is not prepared for these changes. (Ambulance) fees will rise if we have to transfer (Streator) residents to Ottawa or Pontiac. We have a perfectly good facility here, and with the doctor pool at OSF, why can’t we bring in new doctors?”
A nurse from Saint Mary’s is concerned about the travel times to out-of-town hospitals. She stated, “Time is of the essence in health care. Mortality rates could increase greatly if there is not an (ER) in town. It impacts the entire community.”
Another member of the Streator Fire Department, Bryan Park, said, “Streator has been done a great disservice by (Hospital Sisters Health Systems). They have not adequately staffed the hospital. Why is Streator being held hostage by (HSHS’) ideology? Think of the people, we have not been dealt a good hand. (Streator) will suffer, and we had no chance to support (any decisions).”
Citizen Rob Tyne, who brought students along from Streator High School, talked about the community support for the hospital staying, and mentioned how he has not seen new staffers being brought to town to show “how great a community Streator is.” Tyne went on to say, “You cannot beat our community spirit.” Tyne also pointed out that once winter hits, ice and snow can shut down the two main roads in and out of town, Illinois Routes 23 and 18. “(OSF), you have vast knowledge, resources, and finances to keep the hospital open and bring in new doctors and staffers.”
Another Streator resident, Toni Pettit, talked about how Streator is an “aging” community. She went on to say that, “The organization (OSF) will benefit from this, however (Streator) citizens will not. Streator will not be better off without a hospital.”
Another speaker, Spencer Lawrence, talked about the travel times to out-of-town hospitals. “It’s 30 minutes to (Saint Elizabeth in Ottawa), and even longer to (Saint James in Pontiac), and that will bring extra costs to many. The loss of this hospital is hazardous to health, but also hazardous to the community.”
Scott Ingold said that he was “vehemently” against the closing of the hospital. Ingold said, “When does doing the right thing supercede statistics? Shame on HSHS that this does not fit into their mission after over 100 years.”
Streator City Manager Scot Wrighton mentioned how Streator has been “abused” by the entire process. Speaking for the community itself, he also stressed to the board to change their process. Wrighton said, “I implore you to change this process and take this community, along with other communities in the state, into consideration.”
Another resident, Frank Rizzo, says the facts about the entire process and transition should be posted to the public eye, so that everyone is fully informed.
Saint Mary’s president and chief executive John Flanders was the last to speak in the meeting, and he said the hospital has not been successful in keeping physicians. “In the time I have spent with the hospital, 28 physicians were recruited into the hospital. Of that 28, one remains to this day at the hospital.” Flanders also mentioned that everything at the hospital will be donated to OSF for them to use for whatever their needs may be. He went on to mention, “If the campus cannot be repurposed, OSF plans on tearing (Saint Mary’s) down.”
Board officials said an official decision is “likely” to be made at a full state meeting on the morning of Tuesday, November 17th in Bolingbrook. Officials say they do not have any busing or transportation services to get to the meeting, and that meetings are often held in Bolingbrook regarding hospitals throughout the entire state.
A full agenda for that meeting will be posted on the board website, http://hfsrb.illinois.gov/, on Friday, November 13th. The November 17th meeting will begin at 10 AM, at the Bolingbrook Golf Club, 2001 Rodeo Drive, Bolingbrook, IL, 60490.
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