Articles

Interfaith coalition urges continued progress in resolving Grady Hospital crisis

Faith And The City
October 17, 2007

The following letter, addressed to Ms. Pamela Stephenson, Chair of the Fulton-Dekalb Hospital Authority, was signed by majorities of the boards of three organizations – Faith Alliance of Metro Atlanta, Faith And The City, and the Regional Council of Churches of Atlanta. Copies were distributed to other trustees of the Hospital Authority, as well as to DeKalb and Fulton County Commissions, Grady Advisory Group, Metro Atlanta Chamber of Commerce, and the Governor, Lt. Governor, and Speaker of the House of Georgia.

Dear Ms. Stephenson:

As members of the diverse faith traditions of the Atlanta metropolitan region, please allow us to commend the Fulton-Dekalb Hospital Authority’s recent efforts to address the crisis that threatens to close Grady Memorial Hospital, imperil healthcare for the neediest of our neighbors throughout our regional community, and jeopardize essential programs at two of the nation’s premier medical training institutions.

Clearly, there is broad consensus that Grady must remain open. Equally clearly, there is no broad consensus on exactly how to achieve that goal – although this crisis obviously defies unilateral resolution and demands collaborative commitment on the part of the several public entities involved.

We join those who insist that only through collaboration as a community can we find the path through this singular crisis.

The Hospital Authority has taken steps recently to encourage such collaboration – most notably by creating an internal committee and an external advisory group to study various options, and earlier by inviting studies conducted by the private consulting firm of Alvarez and Marsal and by the Metro Atlanta Chamber of Commerce. Thus, the Hospital Authority has set a solid foundation for collaboration, common commitment, and collective action. We urge all parties concerned to stay the course.

We simply must set aside agendas that do not serve the good of the entire regional community.
With our hearts and minds open to the needs of Grady’s healthcare clients – and to the ideas and insights of the individuals and organizations sharing our commitment to the common good – we must heed the call of our respective faiths and ensure that quality healthcare is available for those among us least able to speak out or provide for themselves.

We remain confident that the Hospital Authority and all parties concerned will continue to look forward and move forward on this critical public issue. If we can be of assistance, please contact us collectively or individually.

Sincerely,

Faith And The City / Board of Directors

Dr. James T. Laney, Co-Chair
Former President, Emory University and Ambassador to the Republic of South Korea
Ambassador Andrew Young, Co-Chair
Chairman, Goodworks International and Former Ambassador to the United Nations
Dr. Michael A. Battle
President, Interdenominational Theological Center
Dr. Laura S. Mendenhall
President, Columbia School of Theology
Dr. R. Alan Culpepper
Dean, McAfee School of Theology
Dr. Robert M. Franklin
President, Morehouse College
Dr. James W. Fowler
Director, Center for Ethics in Public Policy and the Professions and Emory University (retired)
Mr. Doug Gatlin
Executive Director, Faith And The City

Regional Council of Churches of Atlanta / Board of Directors

Rev. Dr. George Wirth, Co-Chair
Senior Pastor, First Presbyterian Church of Atlanta
Rev. Joanna Adams
Senior Pastor, Morningside Presbyterian Church
Mr. Steve Brown
Regional Council of Churches of Atlanta
Rev. Gregory V. Eason, Sr.
Senior Pastor, Big Bethel AME Church
Dr. C.P. Huang
Atlanta Taiwanese Presbyterian Church
Bishop L. Bevel Jones III
United Methodist Church (retired)
Rev. Yvette Massey
Senior Pastor, Warren Memorial United Methodist Church
Rev. Daniel Matthews
Rector, St. Luke’s Episcopal Church
Rev. Marvin Moss
Senior Pastor, Cascade United Methodist Church
Rev. David Sapp
Senior Pastor, Second Ponce de Leon Baptist Church
Ms. Sherrie Wilson
President, Church Women United

Faith Alliance of Metro Atlanta / Board of Directors

Imam Plemon T. El-Amin, Chairman
Imam, Atlanta Masjid of Al-Islam
Mr. Bill Bolling
Founder & Executive Director, Atlanta Community Food Bank
Rev. Dr. Rex Kaney
Senior Pastor, Druid Hills United Methodist Church
Rabbi Joshua Lesser
Rabbi, Congregation Bet Haverim
Rev. Nora Martinez
North Georgia United Methodist Conference Center
Dr. Uma Majmudar
Vedanta Center of Atlanta
Ms. Shelly Rose
Faith Alliance of Metro Atlanta
Rabbi Neal Sandler
Rabbi, Ahavath Achim Synagogue
Ms. Jan Swanson
The Community Institute/World Pilgrims
Ms Tayyibah Taylor
Aziziah Magazine
Mr. Amjad Taufique
Director, Masjid Al-Hedaya Islamic Center of Marietta

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