Distress over doctor's firing
Toolbox
By Josh O'Gorman STAFF WRITER - Published: April 27, 2009
LONDONDERRY — Months after a beloved doctor's departure from the local medical clinic, some of her former patients continue to wait — apparently in vain — for her to open up her own office. Others want to see a change in the board of directors that dismissed the doctor.
While the circumstances surrounding her departure differ depending on who is speaking, everyone seems to agree that Dr. Delores Barbeau was loved by her patients. Until September, when she took a leave of absence to care for her ill life partner, Barbeau had spent the last three years treating patients three days a week at Mountain Valley Medical Clinic.
"She's a phenomenal physician who gives excellent care," said Donna Taranko-Moulton, a former patient of Barbeau and one of many who were left at first puzzled and later outraged by the doctor's dismissal.
"There's a lot of pain in the community and a lot of pain in myself and a lot of questions that haven't been answered," Barbeau said. She said she took a leave of absence and expressed her intent to return to the clinic Dec. 1. Prior to her departure, the clinic employed two full-time doctors, a nurse practitioner and herself. To cover for her absence, the clinic hired an additional nurse practitioner.
Barbeau said she went to a board of directors' meeting in October and was assured her job was secure. The following month, she received a letter of termination. Barbeau said no reason was given except her absence would damage the clinic economically.
"She has a lot of loyal patients, but the problem was, they weren't being seen," said board member Barbara O'Donnell. Many patients, when they learned Barbeau was on leave, postponed or cancelled appointments, she said. "We felt we weren't serving the community if we weren't seeing patients."
The clinic serves residents in Weston, Londonderry, Landgrove, Peru, Bondville and Stratton.
Following one meeting at the Weston Priory and a regular board meeting, community members were left wondering what happened to their doctor, Taranko-Moulton said.
"They (the board) were relatively rude and not responsive to the needs of the community," she said.
Some board members acknowledge the rift in the community caused by Barbeau's departure, while others do not.
"The angst over the departure of Dr. Barbeau is long over," said board member Warren Fuller, who also said that to the best of his knowledge, she never asked to return to the clinic.
Other board members are certain she had intended to return and admitted the dismissal caused a lot of pain for patients who are missing the clinic's sole female doctor.
"It was a sad situation for those who loved her and wanted her to return," said Acting Board Chairwoman Carole Lechthaler.
"Considering the time she had been there and how loved she was, we really could have sat down and talked to her," O'Donnell said. "I think we ended up hurting a lot of people in the community.'
On April 16, Barbeau sent a letter to the clinic stating she will not be opening her own practice — a rumor and hope that had circulated through the community — but is instead looking to help open a community outreach center where she would teach preventative health classes. She said she still receives letters every week from former patients asking when she can see them.
While community members have apparently accepted Barbeau's departure, some are still upset and want to see a change in the board, which is composed of people nominated and voted in by other board members.
"This is supposed to be a community clinic," Taranko-Moulton said. "There seems to be a certain economic level — the golf club crowd — who are interested in keeping things the way they are."
The next board meeting is at 4:30 p.m. today at the Landgrove Inn.
josh.ogorman@rutlandherald.com
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