The sky was a threatening deep gray. The wind chill cut like mid-December and the rain made periodic attacks. But none of this lessened the enthusiasm of the crowd that rallied to Save Mount Vernon Hospital.
Last Saturday morning at the Mount Vernon Government Center, citizens from throughout the area assembled in the shadow of their concern to hear a series of speakers implore them to "send a message to the Inova Health System Board of Trustees that this hospital is to stay here."
That was the opening request from rally organizer, Mount Vernon District Supervisor Gerald W. Hyland, to the nearly 200 people who sat and stood in the parking lot no more than a stone's throw of the medical facility they had come to save.
"You are here to today not only to oppose moving the hospital but also to encourage Inova to enhance its profitability," Hyland challenged.
Getting the crowd in a rally mood were cheerleaders Sarah Still, Kelsey Kelly and Amada Campbell from Mount Vernon High School. They opened and closed the 90 minute event that heard from a variety of public officials, physicians and citizens all opposed to any plan to change the status of their hospital.
Lee District Supervisor Dana Kauffman reminded the crowd, "While it is called Mount Vernon Hospital, it is the largest medical facility in this end of Fairfax County. For nearly 30 years it has been an anchor for all the people in this area."
He further warned, "If we sat back and did nothing we'd be saying this portion of the county doesn't need health care. The promised land is not eight miles south. It's here."
AS A MEMBER of the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors, Kauffman insisted that Board "must make Inova stand and deliver. We have given to Inova (Health System) for over 30 years. We can't afford to lose this site."
Matthew Dickert, a Mount Vernon resident who broke his neck in a skiing accident when he was in high school several years ago, spoke to the crowd saying, "When I was brought to this hospital I was in a vegetative state and this community aided so much in my full recovery," he told the crowd.
"The support of the community is so important to the recovery of every patient. Today, I'm with a community of friends and I know this hospital saved my life," Dickert said.
Vicki Johnson, another resident who recently suffered an aneurysm, echoed Dickert's sentiments noted that if that hospital had not been where it is, "I wouldn't be hear talking to you today."
State Senator Linda T. "Toddy" Puller (D-36) also put her support for the hospital remaining where it is in her own personal terms.
"My whole family has used this hospital over the years. And, seven years ago it saved my life. It I had had to go to a distant location, I don't believe I would have made it."
BEGINNING IN January 2003, rumors began circulating Inova Health System, which leases the hospital from Fairfax County for $10 per year, was developing plans to either close or reduce services at the present hospital. There has also been speculation IHS was planning to build a new facility in the Lorton area at a projected cost of $200 million.
One of the rationales for the change was that IMVH is losing money. In the spring, IHS formed a task force to study the situation and suggested solutions. This set off the current firestorm of protests from citizens, public officials and the medical staff.
Joining Hyland and Kauffman from the political arena in support of maintaining and improving the existing hospital, was U.S. Representative James P. Moran (D-8). He has been instrumental in securing legislation to provide an initial input of $1 million to the hospital to establish a collaborative effort with Walter Reed Army Hospital in the area of joint replacement and rehabilitation.
"We want more than a joint replacement center. We want this effort to be a real profit center," Moran said. "This is a community resource that needs to stay right here."
Former Congressman Herbert E. Harris II, who serves on the Southeast Health Planning Task Force (SEHPTF) and has been an outspoken critic of IHS's approach to IMVH, said, "This is not, and must not be, the end of the fight. This hospital must be enhanced and grow."
He noted, "In 1967, we passed a bond issue in Fairfax County for $67 million. Of that, $27 million went for Mount Vernon Hospital. That was your money. It was taxpayer money. It was built by Fairfax County on land bought by Fairfax County."
Dr. Khosrow Matini, immediate past president of the hospital's medical staff and a member of the SEHPTF, accused the IHS Board of only worrying about "competition from a for-profit institution. This hospital was not built by Inova. It was built by the citizens."
Matini said that the consultant hired by IHS to conduct an overall review of the hospital's viability, both financial and professional, has recommended in their preliminary report, "The best alternative is for the hospital to stay here and for services to be expanded."
He said, "I talk to you not only as a physician but as a member of this community. I chose to practice here because of the medical expertise at this hospital. We do not allow you (IHS) to move or close us."
Dr. Steven Goldberger, who also practices at IMVH and serves on the executive committee of Citizens Alliance Rescue Effort (CARE), recently formed by Hyland, reflected back to 1976 when the hospital was being built. "This magnificent structure was conceived in controversy, built in controversy and has been operated in controversy since its doors opened."
He then quoted a member of the County Board of Supervisors at that time who squelched a move to stop the construction by stating, "The Mount Vernon Hospital has gone too far to kill." But, Dr. Paul Luisada, head of psychiatry at IMVH, noted, "It is being killed by IHS policies."
OTHERS WHO JOINED the chorus of supporters from the mobile stage that morning included, State Senator Patricia S. Ticer (D-30), State Delegates Kristen J. Amundson (D-44) and Thomas M. Bolvin (D-43) and Mark Sickles, SEHPTF member.
Hyland concluded the rally by pointing at the hospital just across the open field, saying, "That hospital for me, as it is for all of you, is very personal. When you walk in you know you are going to get the best care and service.
"That hospital is part of this community and part of us. We need to do everything we can to keep it right where it is — not move it one inch. Lobbying 101 — that's what it's all about.
"Our people here care and they do something about their caring. If we want to keep that hospital here, speak out. We need to speak with one voice."
Upon leaving, each rally participant was urged to sign the petition to save the hospital, and was given a packet of information on how to make their voices heard. In that packet was a sample letter as well as the names, addresses, and appropriate contact numbers to reach each member of the IHS Board of Trustees.
Mike Downey, a Mount Vernon area resident member of the audience, summed up the rally by telling his neighbors, "These people (the primary speakers) are leading the community, but everyone of you have to take the lead to save this hospital. As you leave today make this a personal challenge."