June 08, 2012
Friday

How discouraging to learn that my longtime physician, Dr Vicky Malurkar is no longer employed at Ketchikan Indian Community Tribal Health Clinic.  How is it possible I was seen by her last week and now she is gone?

It is my understanding her contract was not renewed by KIC.  Is the person who made this critical decision so incompetent they cannot see the harm this will cause our elders and seriously ill patients who were under her constant care?  Do they even care?

Dr. Malurkar has been a valuable asset to our tribal members.  She is a brilliant doctor who is very meticulous and efficient as well as kind and compassionate.  She truly has the best interest of her patients.  I know this first hand as a patient and because I had the privilege of working with her.  I for one prefer a doctor who actually cares about her patient’s well being as opposed to one who has you in and out in five minutes.

How can we possibly proclaim to hold our elders in high esteem when such actions say otherwise?  I want to know what is going to happen to the seriously ill and elder patients who are currently under her care.  These patients do not need the added stress of having to find another doctor.

This is extremely disrespectful to Dr Malurkar and to our sick and elderly patients.   Is this how we show our gratitude to a doctor who has served the native community with such professionalism for over 30 year?  It is absolutely shameful!

Dr Malurkar, I am thankful for all you have done.

Respectfully,

Yolanda Sainz
Ketchikan, AK

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