Submitted by San Juan County Public Hospital District No. 1

San Juan Healthcare has for many years provided care to island residents as an independent private practice, particularly in the field of geriatrics and pediatrics. As founder Burk Gossom, M.D., approaches retirement this November we hope that a way will be found to replace him. We wish him well as he goes into the next phase of his life and express appreciation for the work he has done. We understand that Mark Fishaut, M.D., and Heather Christensen, P.A., still intend on providing services.

San Juan Healthcare is a private business and determining business decisions must rest with them. We encourage an expeditious final decision on how this matter will proceed so that arrangements may be made by patients and the medical community to handle the outcome. Time is short. We advise patients to consult with their current providers and potential replacements to ensure continuity of care.

We appreciate verbal assurances from PIMC leadership that they are aware of this situation and are willing and capable of serving the additional patient load if necessary and work towards any necessary changes for patients to access services with their current insurance. We appreciate their work on behalf of our community.

Rural health services are struggling across the country. Our community is lucky to have such fine partners.