After hearing Dr. Bobbie Gostout’s commentary on why Mayo plans to consolidate some services to Austin, I believe that the Mayo brothers are turning over in their graves. These doctors and caring gentlemen founded their practice on the needs of the patient comes first. Sometimes their patients may not be able to pay until later or made monthly payments or were paid with whatever their patients raised or grew. But always the patient came first. Most doctors operated on this basis, that their patient’s health came first. Most all cities of any size built their own hospitals so patients did not have to travel for medical care. Now, big business has put the mighty dollar ahead of the oath all doctors have taken. Yes, a lot has changed in the field of medicine since my wife and I were young, but driving an extra 20 miles when their child is about to be born or to be with a loved one during surgery and recovery is still one of the most important times in their life. Therefore, a local hospital has a greater need than the bottom line on any financial report if what is stated on all the folders handed out at every visit to your local Mayo Clinic and hospital is that  “the needs of the patient come first.” This is the belief of the staff in the Albert Lea clinic and hospital and people of Albert Lea and the surrounding area to be the true meaning of health care.

Jim Jirele

Albert Lea