Physicians made decision to serve patients at St. Luke's

This is to clarify what might be the public's misunderstanding:

I, with many others, was incensed in receiving the letter from Cardiologists, L.C., that as of June 1 they would no longer serve patients at Mercy Medical Center, only St. Luke's Hospital.

I have gone lifelong to Mercy. I've been a patient for years of my cardiologist, Dr. David Rater, in that group. I have the greatest respect for his expertise and depth of experience. However, I framed a strong letter to the group but decided I should speak to Dr. Rater personally first. I was sure the mandate came down from either UnityPoint Health/St. Luke's or PCI, where the cardiologists were now in the new pavilion. I asked why they would join an organization that required a one-hospital proviso.

Our conversation lasted 40 minutes. Dr. Rater told me it was the sole decision of the physicians rather than St. Luke's or PCI, that the doctors had decided to focus their energies in one Cedar Rapids location: St. Luke's (known for its heart facilities). He said they were not even a member of PCI, that they merely were a tenant in the pavilion.

With three cancer diagnoses and nine surgeries, I have some experience in the patient health field. I believe that in the pyramid of care, the physician is at the top in importance, and the facility ranks second. Both hospitals are excellent. I decided to follow the doctor who knows my case and who has my trust.

Shirley Ruedy

Cedar Rapids