THE SPECTATOR – BRENHAM FRANTICALLY SEEKING OBGYN DOCTORS
An ongoing search by Baylor Scott and White for certified OBGYN doctors for their Brenham facility has reached a critical point.
Baylor Scott and White Medical Center in Brenham has temporarily closed its Labor and Delivery Department until December 21st while the only certified OBGYN is on leave. Dr. Aaron Campbell has been handling those duties by himself since late September after the death of Dr. Wiley Nobles. Officials with Baylor Scott and White have expressed frustration with their attempts at attracting doctors to fill OBGYN positions in Brenham. I’ve been told that young doctors don’t want to be “on call”, something that is required by the situation at Brenham’s hospital. Officials say they were already advertising for another OBGYN prior to Dr. Noble’s death, and would like to have at least three in Brenham. So far, that search has been unsuccessful.
At one time, Brenham had two hospitals delivering babies on a regular basis. It seems to me that a company the size of Baylor Scott and White should be able to find a workable solution to this doctor shortage. If no one wants to work under the conditions you are requiring, maybe it’s time to look at changing those conditions. And why hasn’t a temporary OBGYN been hired to fill in during this period? Dr. Campbell is an excellent physician, but he can’t be expected to be “on call” 24-7 every week.
Permanent closure of Brenham’s Labor and Delivery Department was averted in November when the local board voted against that proposal. This is not the first time Baylor Scott and White has ended that service at a hospital they have acquired. They did so in Carrollton this past January. I believe it’s time for Brenham and Washington County officials to join together so babies will continue to be born in Brenham. Mayor Milton Tate and County Judge John Brieden should join forces to put pressure on the company to get something done. Call a town hall meeting where Baylor Scott and White officials can explain the situation to the public, and answer their questions.
Since this issue surfaced, I’ve read lots of comments on social media and websites about the wonderful staff and services at our local hospital, and about Dr. Campbell. Both of my children were born at a Brenham hospital. Baylor Scott and White officials says they need more people in Brenham and Washington County to make that same choice. If and when they bring more OBGYN’s to the area, we have to give them our business. Patients will flock to good doctors like Dr. Campbell. Baylor Scott and White, find us those good doctors.
And that’s the way it looks to this Spectator.
This is a sad situation for Washington County and the surrounding counties. Brenham BS&W has outstanding, hardworking, ambitious and dedicated nurses but the lack of ambition and dedication for “the search for an OBGYN” is now depriving them of being able to provide that great care and for patients to get care in Brenham. The current job for the Brenham OBGYN position was posted on Dec 6, 2018, 1:09:30 PM. Unless another job posting was removed, why are they just now trying to look so hard? Dr. Laraway was no longer with BSWH over a year ago and Dr. Campbell opened his practice shortly after. I wish they’d stop using Dr. Nobles (May he Rest In Peace) passing as an excuse when BSWH has been without an obgyn for over a year now. Dr. Campbell, Dr. Nobles, Cheri Adams, Dr. Workman, Dr. Holster and Dr. Bode have been covering for them for some time now. BSWH put themselves in this situation a long time ago…I don’t think they had any intentions of replacing Dr. Laraway or Dr. Campbell.
Its not just OB/GYN’s that are in need of representation in our community. We don’t have a cardiologist either..when I saw a cardiologist from Bryan IN Brenham, after establishing a relationship with him, every test, every lab, every thing that he did for me was a requirement for me or a family member to drive to BSW in College Station to even obtain NORMAL results. This is inexcusable. Washington County is a nice place to live, we enjoy a nice standard of community and after all this time and all the money that has been spent for health care, I am not sure WHY on earth we can’t attract quaiity physicians of the necessary qualifications. I do know that the last few times that I have been admitted or visited our hospital, the rooms have looked terrible, as if they were under construction. I sincerely believe that BSW is in the process of closing our local hospital. And if you dont believe it, I suggest you look at the small towns around us that ALL had physicians and local hospitals that have closed in the last decade or so.
It is too our knowledge after doing some research that BSW has actually Not been looking for an OBGYN. In fact, They have no plans to hire any OBGYNS for our community. When admin have been asked about this in a non-public setting their response is different from the one they keep releasing to the media. Heard from the main admin guy himslef …
“ We want to support Aaron, Sorry Dr. Campbell by allowing him and being in support of him finding a partner” (Dr. Aaron Campbell has been actively trying to recruit a second OBGYN for his practice)
Baylor Scott & White has removed the ONGYN service from their newly aquired North Park Clinic where the late Dr. Wiley Nobles saw his OB/GYN patients until his passing. We are Asking for the community to wake up! What Baylor Scott and White put out in their statements is usually not the real truth but more a twisted version of what they want the community to believe. We know they have the staff scared of losing thier job if they speak to anyone, we also have found out that they have been repeatedly “warning staff” if they post anything on FB or any social media outlet it could (we are assuming it will) affect their employment… These poor people need to have their story told and their side of what is actually taking place inside those walls which we have been told on more then one occasion is not good. However, BSW fixed the possibility the truth gets out from internally as it did last time when the New Beginings was alwrted to their BSW secret plan to shut it down without anyone (not even the staff working in that area) knowing. The Board has been outstanding in supporting our community by standing strong in their decision to keep Labor and Delivery open. However, As a community we need to stand strong with them and show our support as well. We all need to get involved, find the truth, and show that we need and want this service to remain in Brenham! Make appointments with Dr. Campbell, make appointments with any of the four great Doctors from renham Family practice who also deliver there. Keep it local and do your part. Last little request from y’all, please dont believe the very calculated statements from Baylor Scott and White making you believe they are doing ALL they can to help keep it open…. Know the facts, stay involved, and we promise you, if you look for the truth you will find it. Before we end Think about this …….
Why would BSW need to warn staff about the consequences of termination for talking to anyone or posting anything on social media if they were working together with them to keep it open..???
Not surprising at all. This part of the medical profession is one of the most litigated in the USA. What doctor wants to be under that constant financial hammer? That, coupled with the fact that today there are many more who are not paying their hospital bill. These two elements need to be reigned in before the problem is close to being solved.