The Prouty was born of a small group of nurses riding bikes through the White Mountains to raise money “to fight cancer” in honor of a dear friend and fellow nurse, Audrey Prouty, who died of cancer. This was a simple and selfless act, helping to bury their grief in physical activity, and trying to make something positive from an inconceivable and senseless personal loss. The Prouty grew into a monumental expression of community support for research at the Norris Cotton Cancer Center. It was one of the very few institutions in the Upper Valley that drew enthusiastic support from both Dartmouth and the Upper Valley community at large. I have been engaged with the Prouty since 2002, and hope that my enthusiasm for the institution has helped both financially and in building the community of support that it uniquely personifies.
From my new home in Nashville, I read that $6 million may have been diverted from the Prouty to support the fiscal requirements of DHMC. In doing a little research, trying to understand what is going on, I was surprised to learn that the combined annual compensation for the current and former CEO (two CEOs on the payroll!) is $2.7 million — just about half of the amount of the funds diverted. To put that amount in perspective, that is over 87 times the average income in Grafton County. That seems like a lot for a nonprofit institution, and out-of-whack relative to the expectations and resources of the population that it serves.
Last year DHMC earned a Medicare quality rating of 3 Stars — the lowest tier of any hospital in New Hampshire. A review of cost data on the N.H. HealthCost website indicates that DHMC charges about 1.25 times the state average for comparable services. Unless I got this wrong, the delivery of low quality, high-cost medical care ought not to warrant CEO compensation of 87 times that of the average patient.
The Prouty is a community event, which solidifies community bonds in something that we all can believe in — the research and healing mission of the Norris Cotton Cancer Center. It is faith in the people and the mission of NCCC that makes the Prouty uniquely successful — and the trust that by acting as a community we make a positive difference for each other. I would suggest that if DHMC really needs the money, let them keep it — and pay it back over two to three years by reducing executive salaries. You might get two birds with one stone.
Wes ChapmanNashville, Tenn.
Consider the Losing Side
Within the past two weeks, two major national events have taken place. On Nov. 2, the Chicago Cubs defeated the Cleveland Indians in the seventh, and deciding, game of the World Series. It was a thrilling series, with each of the great teams showing heart and skill by fighting back from the brink of defeat. In the final, deciding game, Cleveland fought back to tie the game and send it into extra innings. Even after Chicago went ahead by two runs in the 10th inning, Cleveland fought back again in the bottom of the 10th, but fell one run short. If ever there was a World Series, and a game, where the losers deserved respect and admiration, this was it. Watching television after the game, I was disappointed and saddened to find that only the winning team and their celebrations were covered before I had to turn off the TV to get ready for meetings the next day. I waited, in vain, for some recognition by the Cubs, or the TV network, of the Cleveland team’s effort and achievements.
A similar situation was repeated again on Nov. 8, and the following days, when the winner of the presidential election celebrated his victory as a “winner takes all” contest, with little respect for the effort, concerns and positions of the losing side. Despite winning by only a very small percentage of votes in three critical states that decided the election, and losing the national popular vote, it appears that the winner feels he has the right to implement his own programs without acknowledging or considering the positions of the losing side.
After such a close, hard-fought election, this should be a time for respect, recognition and conciliation. But it is not happening. This focus on the winner, and the “winner takes all” mentality, with accompanying lack of respect and compassion for the loser, does not reflect well on the sportsmanship and values of our country. It also does not bode well for our democracy. We can do better.
Alan SchnurLebanon
Speaking Up for Vulnerable Children
I was not expecting to be so encouraged and touched by Matt Hongoltz-Hetling’s Nov. 12 article about two Hartford School Board bond proposals. While the need to fix the high school parking lot was obvious to most members, Superintendent Tom DeBalsi then explained the urgent need for improvements to the Regional Alternative Program facilities. Board member Peter Merrill reacted strongly to the idea that these students were being treated as second-class citizens, saying, “We are obligated to find a way to provide for them the same way we provide for any other members of the school district. That’s my overwhelming, overarching desire.”
I was deeply moved by the concern of Superintendent DeBalsi and School Board members Nancy Russell and Peter Merrill to provide equal opportunities for all students. Even the best educators and staff will struggle to overcome the limitations of a cramped, poorly lit, dilapidated school without a gym, playground or library. Settings like this would be unacceptable to most parents, but those of us with children with special behavioral needs have very little choice. It is hard to have our children excluded from mainstream education because of their special needs. If they must be separate, I’m thankful that there are people working to make the environments more equal.
If districts would work together to provide the full continuum of alternative educational environments at every grade level, I believe there would be much less need for fully segregated programs such as Hartford Autism Regional Program or the Regional Alternative Program. Until that time, thank you to everyone who speaks up for the rights of our vulnerable children.
Lori MeyersHanover