Opinion

A HISTORICAL FLASHBACK

DOCTORS REVOLTED AGAINST HOSPITAL BOARD IN 1983

The questions raised by our revelation of the pay the Ty Cobb Healthcare Board of Directors are giving themselves, and the political machinations that closed Royston Diagnostic imaging center, caused a mere ripple when compared to the tempest that occurred beginning in 1983, and continuing off and on for the next seven years.

According to stories in the Athens Daily News and The Atlanta Journal-Constitution, in 1983 the controversy first erupted between the Board and physicians over the Board’s decision to go outside for emergency room staffing without first consulting the medical staff.

L. Reeder Tucker was chairman of the board at that time. The only current members who were members then were Romeo Adams (current chairman), Calvin Andrews, and Doyle Hart. The other 1983 members have since died (which appears to be the main way to remove a member from the board).

The Board won. Score: Board 1 Physicians 0 Patients 0

Doctors on the medical staff at that time who are still in practice were Drs. William Ford, W. W. Harris, and H. W. Crump. As reported in the Journal-Constitution, the medical staff was "surprised" to learn that the board was not only paying itself for meetings but had also set up retirement pensions for themselves at hospital expense.

Then-mayor John Beard of Royston, as well as other citizens, expressed "shock" over the financial compensation disclosed by the Atlanta paper. Apparently the "shock" value had died by 2004. No such expressions have been heard since our earlier story.

In 1985, chairman Tucker set up an even sweeter deal for himself. The corporate structure of Ty Cobb was changed, but not before Tucker had arranged to be paid a "consulting" fee of $48,000 per year through 1988. Then, in 1988, he got it extended to 1995. By then, Romeo Adams was chairman.

In 1990, Adams and the board, according to Tucker’s suit, decided to renege on the deal, stating that Tucker was not "earning" the "consulting fee". There were lawsuits on each side, and the matter was apparently settled in secret (as most things dealing with this institution seem to be).

Rumors at the time hinted that Tucker came out on top in the final settlement.

Score: Board 1 Old Chairman (deceased) 1 Physicians 0 Patients 0

Alleged comments by hospital leadership at the time were to the effect that it would all "blow over", which apparently it did.

The state-of-the-art Royston Diagnostic's imaging center was closed in January and may never reopen as an imaging center. Another loss for the public and victory for the Board.

Score: Board 2 Old Chairman (deceased) 1 Physicians 0 Patients 0

So progress continues in the medical field when it comes to new medicines, new equipment, and new procedures. But some things stay the same, including the management of Ty Cobb Healthcare. And look who's winning.