As a physician of 30 years in the Moscow community, and a Gritman Medical Center board of directors member for six years, ending in July 2014, I feel it imperative that I share that I wholeheartedly support board Chair Greg Kimberling and the entire board.
Throughout my tenure, Greg displayed professionalism, excellent judgment and, especially, expertise on the finance committee. I believe he has been cast in an unfair and disingenuous light since many if not all the contracts that have been recently discussed in the press were begun under the leadership of the prior chairman of the board, BJ Swanson.
Although I thank BJ Swanson for her many years of service and dedication to Gritman, I think a change of leadership on the board was long overdue. The community will benefit from the new ideas and different perspectives of the new leadership team.
Although it is imperative that the board remain vigilant to conflict of interest issues, I trust this committed group of professionals will continue to put Gritman Medical Center first and foremost in their roles in decision making for Gritman.
BJ Swanson has cast the board, and especially Mr. Kimberling in her column in this newspaper (Her View, June 23), in an unfavorable light. Note that the board has chosen to remain professional and not enter into this public discussion.
Although I have not been privy to all the recent events on the board, I spent six years observing BJ Swanson's conduct and style of leadership during my tenure. Given that experience, my trust lies with current Chairman Greg Kimberling and the remainder of the board.
Wayne Ruby
Viola
