To the Editor :

I feel a need to explain to the staff at MedLink and Wills Memorial Hospital, my patients, and the community why I will be leaving MedLink in April. My family and I moved here in June 2005 and we feel that we have become a part of the Washington community. It seems like I hit the ground running – filling my practice in about six months. I have loved every day of it. Unfortunately, our office has lost two physicians since October 2008 (Dr. Duggal and Dr. Halliburton). Both physicians enjoyed working for MedLink and living in Washington, but needed to relocate because it was the right decision for their families.

Prior to their departures, we were already very busy. Since their departures, I have assumed responsibility for all of their patients in addition to my own. That amounts to around 6,000 charts, of which I am technically responsible for each and every one. I now have expanded hospital call and nursing home call as well. The quality of care I am now able to provide has been watered down and spread thin. This is not the kind of medicine I wish to practice.

I was in a similar situation at Mercer University during my junior year. I had transferred from Abraham Baldwin Junior college with a 3.85 GPA, a great scholarship, a league-leading ERA of around 2.0, and the first Athletic-Academic All- American for the baseball program. However, the travel schedule was grueling and I missed three weeks of school between winter and spring quarters. Believe me, upper level chemistry and biology classes at Mercer University are very challenging and the professors wanted all of the work and labs completed no matter what! Both my athletic and academic performances were watered down and spread thin. I gave up baseball (not many 5’8” pro pitchers anyway…) to fully dedicate myself to getting into medical school. It was a painful but maturing lesson. Never settle for mediocrity!

We have been hopeful that MedLink could recruit another physician to help. In fact, MedLink Corporation has been aggressively searching since Dr. Duggal announced his departure over a year and a half ago. However, no one is interested - not even one prospect! I recently interviewed a third-year family practice resident at MCG who is interested in community health. She was adamant that she would practice only outpatient medicine and would not see patients in the hospital or nursing home. So – she wouldn’t be a good fit for Washington. All of her fellow graduates will follow the same path: no one wants to do it all anymore. With no relief on the horizon, and after weeks of prayer and meditation, we turned in our resignation. I am only one man, after all.

Until April 1st, we will attempt to see as many patients as possible and ensure they have a long-term supply of prescriptions to allow them time to find another physician without as much urgency. After April 1st, I will work some at Wills Memorial ER as we take our time and reassess all of our options. My next decision must allow me to be a faithful steward, husband, father, and physician – in that order. Please be patient with us at MedLink as we try to accommodate your needs in the coming weeks.

Lester Johnston , Jr. MD