Letters to the editor
Meritus chairman issues statement on lawsuit
To the editor:
Meritus Pharmacy, a small, 1,800-square-foot pharmacy located within the lobby of Meritus Medical Center, opened earlier this year to support the prescription needs of our patients and our employees. The goal of Meritus Pharmacy is always to provide great service to our patients and ensure those being discharged from the hospital are able to get any prescribed medications before leaving the building.
As you know, our local, nonprofit hospital and health system is rooted firmly on a foundation of trust and transparency with our community. As such, we feel it is important to share that on May 16, 2022, Meritus Health’s leaders and its board of directors were made aware that Walgreen Co. filed a lawsuit against Meritus Medical Center in federal court. Walgreens also has a pharmacy in the Robinwood Professional Center, and this litigation involves a contractual matter. Meritus Health believes that any actions taken by the hospital to support our patients and employees were done in accordance with the contract and in furtherance of our mission. We hold high respect for the legal process, and as such, we can’t share all of the details during this phase of the process.
The case filed by Walgreens asks the court to “temporarily, preliminarily, and permanently” stop Meritus Medical Center from operating our small retail pharmacy or “Walgreens will suffer substantial, immediate and irreparable harm.”
Our position on this matter is simple: we acted in accordance with the legal contract between Meritus Health and Walgreens, and in good faith, and our intent in developing the Meritus Pharmacy was, and is, to serve our community.
As your trusted community health provider, we appreciate the ways you make our community strong, and we appreciate your support while we allow the legal process to take its course.
Greg Snook
Chairman, Meritus Medical Center Board of Directors
Helping seniors avoid isolation can protect them from abuse
To the editor:
Wednesday, June 15, 2022, is World Elder Abuse Awareness Day. On that day, communities in the USA and all over the world will sponsor events to highlight the growing tragic issue of elder abuse. On this day the Washington County Commission on Aging will be holding an event from 10 a.m. to 10:45 a.m. outside the Senior Activities Center in the large pavilion; the topic of the conversation will be surrogate decision maker, guardianship and POA (power of attorney).
As Americans, we believe in justice for all. Yet we fail to live up to this promise when we allow older members of our society to be abused or neglected. Older people are vital, contributing members of American society and their maltreatment diminishes all of us. Just as we have confronted and addressed the social issues of child abuse and domestic violence, so too we can find solutions to address issues like elder abuse, which also threatens the well-being of our community.
Our policies and practices make it hard for older people to stay involved with and connected to our communities as they age. As a result, older people are more likely to experience social isolation, which increases the likelihood of abuse and neglect. We can design stronger societal supports to keep our older people connected and protect them from abuse, whether financial, emotional, physical or sexual. When we address a root cause, like social isolation, we also make it less likely that people will become neglected. Older adults who are socially connected and protected from harm are less likely to be hospitalized, less likely to go into nursing homes, and less likely to die.
We can and must create healthier and safer living environments for older adults, including their homes, nursing homes and assisted living facilities.
Get more information about how to make a difference by visiting the National Center on Elder Abuse https://ncea.acl.gov or by calling the Eldercare Locator at 1-800-677-1116 to explore local community services and supports.
Katelin Via, long-term care ombudsman
Vanessa Romero, ombudsman
Shawn Perry, elder abuse victim advocate
Susan Hurd, guardianship care manager, Washington County Commission on Aging Inc.
This article originally appeared on The Herald-Mail: Meritus Health responds to suit; World Elder Abuse Awareness Day
