Editor,

So, with a grin, our new hospital CEO announces Whidbey General will be christened with the new name of “WhidbeyHealth.”

Hospital Spokesman Keith Mack adds that the name, specifically making it one word, was designed to be simple, unique and easy to say and remember.

Why? Because all of us were having trouble pronouncing and remembering the long-standing name of General?

I’m sorry, but how does this change make sense?

Further, CEO Forbes said she “didn’t have an estimate for how much the change will cost, but that they are approaching it conservatively.”

When did this hospital ever approach anything conservatively, and are we to be thrilled that our CEO is making changes without looking into cost first? How is that even close to being responsible, or conservative?

Now we hear they are planning to vote on the name change without checking cost still.

I vote no confidence in these people.

This hospital, whatever you wish to call it, has a long way to go toward repairing its poor reputation.

There are far greater matters that should be changed such as retaining physicians, hiring and keeping actual physicians at the Island’s North and South Whidbey clinics, bringing specialists here so those of us who need them won’t be forced to travel off island to see them and so much more.

The general staff, ER nurses and most of the ER doctors are of excellent caliber and they deserve better too. You can call a rose by any other name, but it’s still a rose.

Same goes for Whidbey General.

Luanne Raavel

Coupeville