Chaos at Crescent City Medical Center (17 page)

John Ashley looked at Robert Bonnet and said
gently
, "You know, Robert, the Governor's given us a
vote of no
confidence by transferring Grace."

Robert nodded his head.  "Yes,
I know,
he
absolutely
has.  But, if I were in his shoes, I'd probably t
ransferred her two days ago.  Are you aware that three
of the general surgeons have canceled their surgeries at CCMC and rescheduled them over at
Jefferson?
 

"I heard," John said tiredly.  "I expect some internists and general practitioners will also divert
their patient
admissions
as well
.  Anyway, let's savor our small victory
and get to work to try and keep this place open past next Monday
."

They all nodded to each other,
and then
departed to their separate offices.

Alex returned to her office and called Mitch.  She wanted to talk with someone completely uninvolved with CCMC.  When she got him on the phone, she didn't tell him anything about the
meeting with the governor,
saying
only
that the situation was worsening. 

After
she made plans to
meet him for d
inner at eight that evening, Alex
sat at her desk and mulled over the Governor's ultimatum.  As much as she hated to admit it, Don did have a point.  It seemed strange that the Governor had
even considered, much less planned to close the medical center.
  Such behavior was unprecedented.  The more she thought about it, the more Alex was convinced of the possibility that CCMC was involved in some type of political power struggle.  She considered calling her grandfather to get his advice on the situation, but decided to wait.  Just then, Bridgett buzzed her from the outer office.

"Can you talk to Elizabeth?  She wants you to meet with the press in about forty-five minutes."

"Put her through, better still, ask her to come over." 

As Alex was glancing through Elizabeth's list of
anticipated questions from
the press, she remembered Martin's conversation about the voodoo museum.  She again wondered if the museum had any knowledge of the events at CCMC.  Alex made the decision to visit the museum after work.

Elizabeth arrived
a bit out of breath
within five minutes
.  Her long dark hair hung loose in wavy
curls
giving
her a more vulnerable look than
she possessed most days.
  "I told the press we'd meet with them at nine-thirty and apologized for the delay.  There's a whole horde of them out.
It’s amazing.
I think every news media, even from the more rural parts of Kansas are out there. What do you think of the sta
tement
?
We can present it and
take fifteen minutes of questions." 

"Scared?" Alex said
in a rueful voice
.

"Of course, aren't you?
”

"Hell yes
!
  You don't look it," Alex said as she read Elizabeth's statement.
“
You look really calm, cool and collected.
”
Alex nodded her head, approvingly.
The statement was simple and straight forward.
It acknowledged that two gunmen, apparently searching for drugs, had entered the emergency department the afte
rnoon before.  It also confirmed
the deaths, and
ended with the assurance that CCMC was o
perating at full capacity, with tightened
security, and
remained
the only world
-
class hospital in Louisiana
.

"Looks good.  The most important thing we have to do is get across to them, and the public, that CCMC is a safe place to get medical care.  If we can convince people of that, perhaps we'll be able to increase our inpatient
admissions
and outpatient visits.  How many questions do you think we'll get?  I don't have a feel for this sort of thing."

"More than we want to answer based on my experience.
You look over the list I
made last night?" Elizabeth asked
.

"
Yeah,
I think you're pretty much on target.  Of course, who knows?  So far
,
the media seems to be one step ahead of us.  Let's ask each reporter to identify themselves and their affiliation before they ask their question.  Why don't you answer each question initially, and then I'll add necessary comments."

"Good,
” Liz
said.  "Did you see
The Times Picayune
this morning
?

"Robert and I
rea
d the
article
a little after six this morning when we were having coffee.  We couldn't believe
the accuracy of the news story
”
Alex
continued
as she noticed
the look of surprise on Elizabeth's face. 

Elizabeth was silent.

"Liz
, what's up?  You looked surprised, even shocked.  You know something I don't?" 

Elizabeth remained
quiet, and
Alex realized that Elizabeth had
totally
misunderstood her visit with Robert early that morning. 

Alex hastened to set the record straight.
"Elizabeth
…
Robert just stopped by to give me a report on Diane and find out what'd happened at the meeting.  He was on his way to the hospital.
  That was it, really.  There is nothing else.
"

"Of
c
ourse.  You don'
t need to explain, it's really o
kay."  Elizabeth was blushing.

"Elizabeth, Robert may be my ex-husband, but he's also my
friend.  We're good friends,
and
that's all.
There’s nothing else going on, I swear.
"
  Alex gave Liz a hard look.  “Understand?
  I don’t want any rumors going around.
”

Liz held up her arm
but she looked hurt that Alex could think she would spread rumors.
  "Say no more.  I understand.
I am trustworthy
.”  Changing the subject Elizabeth continued, “What else should we expect
from the press
, particularly in the way of questions
?"

"I don't know, but I have something else I want to talk to you about.  This morning, Martin told me about some people who'd visited the voodoo museum last night.  Apparently they were told the voodoo
war
wasn't over.  I don't know what that means, but I'm thinking about going down there after work.  Want to come?"

"To
a
voodoo museum?"   

"Yes, M
a
rtin said he'd take me anytime.  It may be a blind lead, but it's the only lead we have at this point.  I'm going to follow it up."

"Can we go out for drinks afterward?  I have to have something to look forward to after a trip to the voodoo museum?"

"
Sure.  Sounds great.
  You game?"

"Help me through this press conference, and I'll go anywhere with you." 
La
ughing,
Alex and Li
z left Alex's office.

Bridgett looked at them like they were crazy
as they passed her desk
.  "
What’s so funny?
  Please tell me
. 
There’s not much to laugh about in this place anymore
."  Bridgett looked at her watch.  "It's only a little after nine
,
and I feel like I've been here all day.
By the way, Alex, since you obviously aren’t going to tell
me
what is so funny,
I'm setting up a board of trustees meeting for tomorrow morning at 9:00.  Consider yourself informed.  Attendance is mandatory." 

Alex was happy to see a bit of the sparkle back in Bridgett’s big blue eyes.
"You got it, Bridge.  If we're still alive after this press conference, I'll bring the doughnuts," Alex replied, and, still laughing, the women made their way to the hospital auditorium.
Bridgett shook her head, and smiled
at the retreating back
s
of the two women.  She thought what a beautiful and
power
ful
combination t
hey were.  Both women were tall and each
dressed in dark colored business suits.  Both Alex with her long hair in an elegant French twist and Liz with her dark curls appeared in control and
self-assured
.  They’ll wow
the media out, Bridgett thought
. This place is gonna make it after all.  She smil
ed and returned to her computer happy that she had decided to bite the bullet and return to CCME to “fight” the voodoo curse.

Alex and Elizabeth appeared calm and confident
as they approached the press.  There were
hundred
s
of
print media
reps
, and
the entire parking lot was filled with TV news vans and camera crews.
 

Elizabeth whispered
fiercely
, "
Wow, can you believe this Alex?  I don’t think Obama brings out this many news vans.  Are you ready?
”

"
Yep, w
e'll be great."  Alex squeezed her hand.

It was chaotic
,
and the confusion was intense
.  People were shouting and p
ushed
forward to get near the two CCM
C
employees.
Most of the initial questions from the reporters were directed at the emergency department disaster.  Alex and Elizabeth were able to field the questions skillfully, constantly r
einforcing the safety and excellent
medical care at CCMC. 

Then one reporter who introduced himself as Steve Parker from the
Miami Sentinel
said,

"I have it on good authority that
the
emergency department shootout was voodoo related.  Can you verify this?"

Elizabeth responded
without
hesitation.
"The New Orleans Police Department has established a connection between the dead gunman and voodoo.  We have littl
e information on these findings and the cause remains under investigation.  Contact the NOPD
for further info
rmation but I don’t know if
they are
releasing
any evidence.
" 

Liz pointed to an attractive blonde reporter on the front row.

"I'm Susan Roshen from the
Washington Post
.  Do you think there's a plot to destroy Crescent City Medical Center?"

Alex thought for a moment.  "
A plot?  I don’t think so.
We're certainly encountering some
unfortuna
te events but w
e
have no knowledge or evidence of a plot and don't know a reason why anyone would plot against Crescent City Medical Center."

The journalist continued, undeterred.
"Please, Ms.
Destephano.  Let's get real
.  Health care is one of the most lucrative and competitive businesses in America.  It's also the fastest growing business. 
No one knows or has a clue about what Obama’s Health Care Portability Act will do to medical centers who stand alone
,
are
independent and not members of
huge
health care
organizations or
conglomerate
s
. 
Your viability is significant.
Corporations will go to any length to keep
their market share at any expense
.  Why should health care be any different?  Don't you think someone is out to destroy you, or at least destroy your image in preparation for a quick take-over?" 

Alex grappled with the question,
and then
replied, "Ms. Roshen, I don't know how to answer your question.  I can assure you the hospital's executive management, the board of trustees, the New Orleans Police Department and federal authorities will be investigating every possible reason for
what has happened here
.  I can ass
ure you that there are currently
no
negotiations with any outside organizations about an acquisition or merger.
CC
MC
is financially solvent and intends to remain independent.
”

A voice from the back of the crowd said clearly
, as if spoken through a microphone
.  "
You people are crazy.
  You think you are such smart asses
.  I heard
Governor Raccine is going to close
CCM
C
just as soon as he can.  He thinks this place is cursed and bad for New Orleans.
  When's the hospital scheduled to close?"

The silence was deafening. 

Finally Alex spoke.  "Sorry, sir.  I didn't get your name.  Could you repeat it?"

"I'm from the
Dayton Daily News
in Ohio.  I heard the governor's going to close the hospital.  When's your closure date?"