Dr David Herman Meets Hyde County | Eastern North Carolina Now

    On June 18, Hyde County Health Department and Hyde County Chamber sponsored a public meeting on the changes in healthcare. The guest speaker was Vidant CEO Dr. David Herman. About 25 residents from Beaufort, Dare and Hyde Counties posed questions about local concerns, including Vidant's decision to close the only hospital servicing 25,000 in a combined rural area of the two counties.

    If Vidant thought their "problem child" would go away quietly, never to be seen or heard from again, that was not the case last week in Hyde County, nor will it be next year.

    About 6 months ago Rocky Jacobs, Chairman of Pungo Hospital Council, was overheard saying "in 3 years this will all be forgotten".

    Looking out into the audience, Dr. Herman saw some familiar faces. County residents who have made their concerns known by faithfully attending public meetings and church meetings. Although he attempted to cut short some of the questions, he still had to respond, especially when Dr. Charles Boyette (Herman's nemesis) asked him about the Pungo Hospital contract breaches.

    It was obvious from Herman's canned responses about Pungo Hospital, his legal team had prompted him well. Damage control and "spinning the story" are almost a daily item at Vidant.

    Dr. Herman doesn't realize that as time goes on and if the absence of an Emergency Department in Belhaven contributes to the death of some poor soul who doesn't survive the precious time afforded in the Golden Hour, someone will remind him about the role he played.

    It's getting close to the July 1st deadline and you could see his demeanor change when he answered "Pungo belongs to the LLC". We are out of there come 12:01 on July 1st. It was so easy to blame all of the angst and worry on the Managers of Pantego Creek, LLC or on Mayor Adam O'Neal.

    The sad irony of Herman's last words was his choice to end the meeting by explaining the importance of having an "End of Life Care Plan". I'm sure that didn't sit well with the residents who depend on Pungo Hospital. I'm not sure if he even got it.

    Has Vidant underestimated the determination and strength that drives and sustains our local people on a daily basis? Give up? Don't know the meaning of that phrase.