Dear Editor,

[In response to the recent Pratt Regional Medical Center news release about Hospitalist Program transition] I would like to start with a bit of history. Pratt Internal Medicine Group began in the mid-1970s with Ron Quenzer MD, Dan Suiter MD and later Steve Dillon MD. All were board certified specialists in internal medicine. PIMG has continued as a corporate entity since that time, and only in the last few years was it acquired by Pratt Regional Medical Center who currently own it. Physicians have come and gone over the years including Mike Honan MD and Jennifer Jackson MD, but the actual practice has continued unabated and has always provided high quality specialty care for the adult.

These physicians have provided 24/7 in person coverage for their hospital inpatients, emergency room, and the outpatient internal medicine practice. Until recently there were still three full-time internists but now two, Aaron Zook, MD and Rachael Hauser MD both board certified internist. Their fierce devotion to patients through day, night and weekends affirms their love of Pratt community.

It was with great concern when I read the PRMC and Pratt Family Practice press release that a decision has been reached and three hospitalists would be hired to cover all hospital duties, which are currently part of the responsibilities of our excellent internists. The hospitalists will assume this position without allowable competition from Doctors’ Zook and Hauser. Obviously, this greatly impacts their long-standing excellent internal medicine practice and will make it difficult to continue in Pratt.

Curtailing a physician’s credentialed duties by administrative decision through no fault of the doctor is a rarity and may well be the first time in my memory it has been attempted at our hospital. Regrettably I’m convinced that this will cause the demise of internal medicine in Pratt. I for one would like to hear from the physicians who will be impacted by this decision. I’m not sure the public comprehends what a huge impact this practice has had on the development of our excellent hospital and staff and how important specialty care will be in our hospital’s future viability. Now would be a great time for a meaningful dialogue.

Dan Suiter MD
American Board of Internal Medicine
American Board of Gastroenterology
Pratt, Kansas