Hospital: Trooper vouches for Dr. Z

I am writing this letter in response to the article about Dr. Zaveruha’s perceived “conflict of interest” in running for hospital commissioner while retaining his job as Emergency Services Director and surgeon at Whidbey General Hospital.

I recently retired as a Washington State Trooper, having completed the final 8 years of my career working on Whidbey Island. In my capacity as a law enforcement officer, I have had many dealings with “Doc Z.” I can vouch for his integrity and community devotion.

When I first arrived on the island, I quickly learned of his reputation as a skilled leader of the Emergency Services in Island County. This information was provided to me by fellow officers and emergency responders. I soon had first-hand experience of the community concern at the scene of a serious injury collision. This collision was late at night (not the time you would expect the Director of Emergency Services to be responding to assist his fellow aid workers in providing needed on-scene medical treatment). Since that initial meeting, I have several times observed (first hand) his skillful treatment of seriously injured accident victims while performing his duty as an on call emergency room doctor at Whidbey General Hospital.

He clearly has the calm ability to work under the intense pressure of providing life-saving care to trauma patients. My respect grew for this man’s abilities as did my friendship. I can personally vouch for his community respect and charismatic leadership, as well as his forthright candor and honesty. I know that if any conflict of interest should arise as a result of being elected to the Board of Commissioners of Whidbey Island Public Hospital District, he would obviously recognize this matter and excuse himself from the decision making of “that particular issue.”

I firmly believe that anyone who personally knows Dr. Zaveruha can say with certainty that he would not put his personal goals above that of the community which he has so diligently served throughout the years. I urge your support for his bid to be a Whidbey General Hospital Board member.

Mark C. Brown

Oak Harbor

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