First, I want to thank both Sarah Stueven and Rita Moyer for their thoughtful, well-written and fact-based letters. Your perspectives and comments are greatly appreciated.

I, too, have experienced feelings of frustration and sadness with some of the decisions, particularly the closing of the Baby Place. But, I also understand the logic of needing to make changes to ensure that both the Albert Lea and Austin facilities stay vibrant and strong for many, many years to come to best serve the people of these communities. Competition and giving people options are important as well; this is something no one disputes. The Save our Healthcare group did help bring to light the need for Mayo leaders to engage the community, and they have done this. Mayo leaders meet with community leaders and representatives on a regular basis, and have been for some time.

There are some things that many in our community need to keep in mind. I have heard more than one account from providers who have been caring for patients here for a very long time, that they have been told by some longtime patients that once Mercy comes in they gave a signed agreement to leave these providers for ones at Mercy. In my opinion, this is direct interference with patient care. And who is this benefiting? Certainly not the patients nor the community. There is also a push for employers to make Mayo out of network on their employees’ health insurance. Again, who is this benefiting? Not the people of this community.

Mayo in Albert Lea is one of the largest employers in the county. That means many of your family members, friends and neighbors work there, and give all they can to provide the best care possible to all of you. The misinformation that is being pushed hurts employees the most. Where is the community support for us? We work in family medicine, internal medicine, pediatrics, cardiology, urology, general surgery, OB/GYN, orthopedics, radiology, pharmacy, ambulatory surgery, environmental services, the Cancer Center, ENT, dermatology, laboratory, Health Reach, the emergency department, behavior health, Fountain Centers, dietary and all the services that are and will remain in Albert Lea, caring for our patients.

We live, work, support our families and spend our money in your Albert Lea businesses, yet where is the support for us? In my view, continuing to make Mayo the enemy makes us the enemy, and leaving your longtime care providers for duplicate services will hurt us, not Mayo as a whole.

Peggy Olson

Albert Lea