We made it to the national news

I don't often talk about the place I work by name or give specifics. I'm going to break that trend today. We found out about this last week, but it's made it to MSNBC now, so I feel more comfortable about writing about the specifics.

Facing hard times, Shriners may close hospitals: Donations down for organization that provides free health care to children

The hospitals being considered for closure are: Shreveport, Louisiana (the original hospital); Erie, Pennsylvania; Spokane, Washington; Springfield, Massachusetts, Galveston, Texas (a burn unit that has still not recovered from Hurricane Ike) and Greenville, South Carolina. With the exception of Galveston, all are orthopaedic hospitals.

It's going to be a tough vote, and I'm not sure they'll be able to get it. If not, then the future of the system really is in doubt. But I hate seeing the others close. I've corresponded with other librarians (the one from Greenville especially gets hit with my interlibrary loan requests, and is very prompt and nice about it) over the years, too. Shriners really is a sort of family. Unfortunately, circumstances are making it very difficult to continue to provide free care for burns, orthopaedics, spinal cord injuries, and cleft palate, the areas in which we specialise.

They're doing what they can already, including shutting down some basic research centres, reducing hospital budgets, and reducing some benefits for employees. Everything is going towards trying to fund patient care itself.

In case you're not familiar with what we do, here's a blurb from our web page:

Shriners Hospitals for Children is a one-of-a-kind international health care system of 22 hospitals dedicated to improving the lives of children by providing specialty pediatric care, innovative research and outstanding teaching programs.

Children up to the age of 18 with orthopaedic conditions, burns, spinal cord injuries and cleft lip and palate are eligible for admission and receive all care in a family-centered environment at no charge – regardless of financial need.

For more about Shriners Hospitals for Children, see the main page for the hospitals. You can take a virtual tour of our facility, or tour other hospitals in the system, including Springfield, one of those being considered for closure. And not to do a shameless plug, but if you are interested in donating to this worthy cause, you can do so via the Ways to Give page. The charity consistently scores well in terms of percentage of monies that go directly to those served (in this case, patient care) as opposed to marketing and administration.

I've spent the last 12 years of my life working in this environment, and it truly is remarkable and rewarding. But with the future of the hospitals in doubt, I have to admit I am more than a little stressed about my future as well. The last time this came up for a vote it was shot down and there were cutbacks, including in my hours. Without closing the designated hospitals, they may vote to do a 30% cut across the board, with more layoffs--but risk destroying the system's viability itself.

And if I'm stressed, you can imagine that for the employees, families, and patients at these hospitals, it is much worse. We already have patients whose families (or the volunteer Shriner drivers) drive five hours or more to be seen. I know we get people as far away as Chattanooga, for example. I can't imagine driving from South Carolina for a doctor's appointment. That's pretty stressful in itself.

Anyway, I'm hoping for the best, whatever that may be.