Editor,

Congratulations to Dr. Eric Anderson on being appointed to our hospital’s board.

Visitors to Dr. Anderson’s veterinary center will notice the prominently displayed AAHA emblems, signifying his business is accredited by the American Animal Hospital Association.

In contrast, our people hospital has been unaccredited since 2005. WhidbeyHealth is the only hospital around that refuses to provide this assurance that its staff and facility meet professional standards.

When the subject is raised, our leaders say the $75,000 annual cost is too high. Fact check: the correct amount is about $5,300. Let’s stop making bogus excuses.

I urge Dr. Anderson to immediately put the accreditation issue on the board’s agenda, and to have a full, serious and PUBLIC discussion of the matter.

What is WhidbeyHealth hiding? What are they afraid of?

Until WhidbeyHealth becomes accredited, I’ll remain afraid to go there.

And while on the subject, our hospital currently has a ridiculous eight job openings for doctors, and 89 overall. Wouldn’t any doctor who has high personal standards think twice before going to a hospital that has resolutely avoided accreditation for over a decade now?

Rob Born

Greenbank