The recent departure of Drs. Gruver, cardiologist, and Devlin, neurologist, is disturbing.
They have impeccable credentials, among the “best in class” regarding advancements in medicine and delivering excellent healthcare to patients.
Chattanooga’s healthcare requires continuous retention and recruitment of quality physicians. High quality physicians attract more of the highest and best physicians over time.
Healthcare providers, namely Baroness Erlanger, CHI Memorial and Parkridge common missions, visions and values relative to public and private healthcare demands the” best of the best” physicians. The quality health of patients, physician retention and recruitment are at stake, particularly as cardiovascular disease and stroke are among major conditions that result in death. Not to mention Chattanooga is the epicenter of stroke in the Southeast region of the United States. Other conditions such as neurological disorders including seizures, tremor, multiple sclerosis as well as Parkinson’s, dementia and Alzheimer’s require world-renowned physicians.
The aforementioned conditions are included in the work of Dr. Devlin and team within the Neuroscience Center being developed in Chattanooga. The Neuroscience Center holds promise to make Chattanooga “The Place” of proactive strategies and the hub of networked hospitals. It includes the highest quality healthcare for intervention, research, prevention and education. Furthermore, it accelerates patient access to interventions, technologies, advances scientific clinical trails for improvement in treatment while continuously facilitating professional development of physicians and support staff.
Baroness Erlanger, CHI Memorial and Parkridge working, independently while collaboratively, can make this possible if they have the collective will and foresight. The ‘Chattanooga Way” can once again show the way forward that differentiates Chattanooga’s healthcare system.
Let’s keep Drs. Gruver and Devlin in Chattanooga and capitalize on creating an environment of retention and recruitment of world-class physicians.
John W. Schaerer, Chattanooga native