WRMC may lose only pediatrician in valley

The Wood River Medical Center Board of Trustees is negotiating its contract with the valley’s only pediatric doctor, Dr. Marel Hanks.

Unfavorable negotiations a year ago nearly caused Hanks to leave the valley until public outcry brought another offer from the medical center.

In defense of its position in the current negotiations, the medical center released a statement.

"We have proposed a compensation for Dr. Hanks which would be based upon a percentage of her adjusted gross billings rather than the current situation which has the hospital paying a salary regardless of her patient volume," said WRMC Chief Executive Officer Jon Moses in the prepared statement.

According to the WRMC, the board previously approved a contract that included a public subsidy to implement Hanks’ income while she built her practice in the valley with the understanding that the amount would decrease as Hanks’ practice increased.

"All other physicians who move to the valley are responsible for generating their own income without compensation from the hospital," said Moses.

"This is a complex and troubling issue, especially since Dr. Hanks is extremely personable and loved by her patients," said board chair Kathleen Eder in the statement. "However, the board of trustees is entrusted with public hospital funds, and must act responsibly and fairly in the use of those funds. To continue to subsidize the pediatric practice at current levels would violate the intent of the contract."