Who's Holly?....4/5

Holly is apparently a very caring individual. (You don't get into healthcare at the paramedic level unless you are.) She wanted to help her city, her hospital, so she emailed the interim CEO (feeling that she had somewhat of a connection with him, having worked in a previous position in Austin when he was in charge) offering what help/insight that she could give. She was offering--volunteering--to help.

-----Original Message-----From: HOLLY PETERS [mailto:_______@msn.com]
Sent: Friday, March 02, 2007 3:07 PM
To: Salerno, Richard
Subject: Welcome to Paris
Hello Mr. Salerno,

My name is Holly Peters and I worked with you on occasion, at the Austin Diagnostic Clinic and Medical Center under Jim Thomas. I was a Team Leader in the Clinic and my husband actually worked in the Radiology Department and the Nephro-vascular Lab.

I have to say that I have been very troubled with what has been going on, at the hospital you are now managing, since we moved here four years ago. Because my husband did at one time, work there in the cardiovascular lab, I am all too familiar with the problems you face.

My concern is, of course, for the community as a whole and my family's need for future medical care. I want to see you achieve the greatness, I believe the medical community of this area is capable of and deserves. I will tell you, that based on my experience, I believe management, insurance contract negotiations, as well as improper coding for services are ultimately the cause of the dilemma the hospital is in.

I would be happy to help, in any way I can and provide you with my honest opinion regarding a number of challenges you face, if you are interested. I am sure my husband would also gladly provide you with any knowledge he may have too.

Sincerely,
Holly N. Peters

When it was clear to Salerno that she was not a consultant, person of influence, or consequence, he emailed her to not contact him again--I wish I had a copy of that email. It was apparently at that point she emailed me. I dropped the ball.

At that point, the vindictive nature of Mr. Salerno came out. He called Holly's husband's employer, and banned him and his company, from the hospital. He may lose his job.

This exposes Mr. Salerno's (and Essent's, apparently, he does represent them, after all) opinion of women: Pre-suffrage, women are chattel, unable to think independently of their husbands. James Carville might disagree, being married to Mary Matlin...as would many husbands....

But, what does this say about Essent? Or the company that Holly's husband works for? The sins of the fathers--or in this case, those of their wives? Hardly seems fair, when the intent from the beginning was to help.... But Essent has hardly been accused of being fair...and Dick, well, he's just being himself....