Poor decisions, blatant conflicts of interest threaten Community Regional Medical

Poor decisions and bad actions

I am completely astonished by the chilling findings that have come through via The Bee over the past several days. We entrusted these people to ensure that they would take care of those who needed services, and I am worried about the future of Community Regional Medical Center and those who seek services. My concern is not only as a physician, but as a taxpayer as well.

How could they have allowed such atrocities to happen right under their very noses, other than for greed, money and power? I am utterly disappointed and disenchanted by their actions.

The obvious is clear here; an investigation needs to take place and hold those accountable for their poor decisions and actions.

Downtown CRMC’s critical role

It is well- known that Community Regional Medical Center operates the highest-level trauma center in the central state and serves, in its hospital and clinics, a population with one of the highest rates of poverty. This population also experiences the poorest health outcomes, and have significant barriers to quality health care.

In 2021-22, the downtown Fresno facilities were able to generate $128.1 million as compensation for providing quality medical care to indigent and underinsured patients. It is difficult to comprehend or support the CMC board and key leadership decisions to divert those funds for expansion in Clovis when the needs in downtown Fresno are immense.

For many years, as a pediatric faculty member at CRMC, I supervised medical students and residents that trained in the newborn nursery and pediatric clinic. It is crucial that CRMC be sustained and updated for the mission to improve the health status of the community and promote medical education.

CMC resignations are a must

I’d like to thank The Bee for reporting and shining a light on Community Medical Centers. The use of funds generated downtown to pay for expansion projects in Clovis is surprising and disappointing, but the real story is the apparent conflicts of interest going on with some of the board members.

I think these contracts and land deals need to be investigated further, and agree with your call for an attorney general investigation if the board members don’t resign. That’s the only way to restore trust in one of the most important health-care institutions in the Valley.

Full investigation is needed

Fresno’s health equity issues are quite well known. Addressing the unacceptable disparities that exist here requires hospital leaders who put the community first, and not just the wealthiest among us or the board members’ own business enterprises. It requires investment in Community Medical Centers’ downtown facilities and financial decisions that benefit patients and vulnerable populations.

Attorney General Rob Bonta is already aware of the health and environmental issues affecting Fresno residents, and I hope he will add The Bee’s findings to his list of priorities within the area. We deserve nothing less than a full investigation.

Often patients don’t have choice

In response to the investigation regarding Community Medical Centers: Not only does the downtown Fresno hospital house the only Level 1 trauma center between Los Angeles and Sacramento, which has brought pride to our Valley, it also houses an enormous amount of acute care beds in our community. Ninety percent of these beds will face the threat of closure if CMC fails to bring its key facilities at this campus into compliance with earthquake standards. Addressing the building safety issues and updating structures and equipment that desperately need attention should be a top priority.

When offered a choice, my patients will quickly decline a visit to the downtown hospital due to neglect of this campus. Unfortunately, many patients do not have a choice and for this reason, it is crucial that we intervene to continue to keep its doors open.

Having trained at this facility years ago and served this community for nearly 30 years, I place sole responsibility on top management and the board of directors for allowing this mismanagement to occur. Who is managing whom? Whether this is illegal or not, it is unethical in the least and merits further investigation.

Any in conflicts, step down

With respect to the expose on Community Medical Center’s money moves, I am grateful to The Bee for putting a spotlight on the short-sightedness of using public money like speculative capital. Aside from the hospital’s questionable ethics, it just doesn’t make money sense in the long-term to deplete a billion dollars from a profit center to prop up a new facility that offers “low-value” medical services. What happens if the downtown hospital closes? What happens when the state and federal funding dries up?

CMC’s plan is a big gamble that hinges on lawmakers swooping in with a bailout that looks increasingly unlikely. Any sensible business person, like me, can see that projections look precarious for the community at large. Even worse, CMC’s top brass are allowing public funds to shift into private hands and collecting hefty salaries along the way — nearly $1.3 million for CEO Craig Castro and another $1.18 million for COO Craig Wagoner according to 990 filings from 2020.

Board members with conflicts of interest should step away to prove their commitment to fair dealings, and the rest should distance themselves to make room to forge a new path ahead.

Don’t question board integrity

While it’s always fair to question the actions of any board, questioning board members’ integrity is an entirely different matter.

Through the years I’ve had the privilege of knowing the Assemis, Susan Abundis and Jerry Cook. All have enjoyed successful careers, led by example while exuding high levels of integrity.

Years ago, Sister Ruth of St. Agnes spoke of the need for a regional medical school. I was amazed when the Assemi family decided to take this on themselves because, in great part, they felt it would be good for the community.

At a time when McClatchy was slipping ever closer to bankruptcy, placing their employees and pensioners at risk, the Assemis were investing in our community. It is a false narrative to suggest all their actions are purely a product of direct self-interest.

Time will tell if Community’s effort to build a stronger hospital system is better than focusing solely on one facility.

Friends have said to me, “What did you expect? Of course The Bee was going to go after the Assemis, they started a competing news service, GV Wire.”

I would like to think we are all above that.

CRMC becomes a ragamuffin

Allowing Valley Children’s Hospital to abandon its patient base in Fresno for the allures of Madera County was a massive blunder.

Now Community Regional Medical’s downtown complex is becoming a ragamuffin while Clovis gleams. The Bee’s expose of the coziness between board directors and their private interests is a Pulitzer candidate. Bravo!

Mr. Assemi, Ms. Dunn and Mr. Cook must exit the premises hastily.

This story was originally published September 8, 2022 at 6:00 AM with the headline "Poor decisions, blatant conflicts of interest threaten Community Regional Medical."