We have a large TV screen in our newsroom that tells us in real time what stories are being read on our website, Ohio.com, and how much time you are spending on those stories.
Stories about Summa Health have been high on the screen for three weeks now. Why? Summa is the region’s largest employer, and it is the place where many of you go for health care. When something significant happens there, people want to know.
The hospital and the group of physicians who staffed the emergency rooms failed to agree on a contract that expired Dec. 31. So another group of physicians was brought in for a New Year’s Eve/Day transition. It was an abrupt, unexpected change that brought on a lot of uncertainty.
That uncertainty still exists:
• Hundreds of doctors have expressed no confidence in Summa’s CEO.
• Summa’s board hired an executive coach.
• The board now will approve all physician contracts.
We first learned of the story through a news tip from someone who heard about trouble with the emergency room staffing contract. Amanda Garrett, a business reporter who covers health care, started asking questions. She got answers and reported.
She found that, indeed, the contract talks were not successful and there would be a changeover on New Year’s Day. Her story was published Thursday, Dec. 29, on Ohio.com and in the Friday Beacon Journal.
“I think it’s an important community story,” Amanda said. “Not only is Summa Summit County’s largest employer, but they care for us. Summa impacts our wallets and our health.
“So it is important for us to report to the community.”
The floodgates opened as readers called with tips and concerns.
Here was a fair question from a reader via our website:
“Why is it that not a single story on Ohio.com has mentioned that a major reason for the change in ER docs was that the previous company refused to accept the quality care measurement requirements presented to them, specifically the lower re-admittance levels?”
While we can ask questions, we cannot control the answers. We asked Summa for interviews up the chain of command, but we did not get that interview until several days into the dispute. We try to tell readers that we are seeking more information.
There were a number of anonymous calls. Nurses were trying to figure out what was happening because, Amanda said, “they were afraid of losing their jobs.”
Amanda reported on the emergency room transition, answering a growing list of questions regarding the leadership at Summa.
She took New Year’s Day off. Reporters Rick Armon and Stephanie Warsmith covered the developing story over the holiday weekend.
And then … Amanda got sick. (Ironically, she went to a Summa emergency room in Medina.)
So Betty Lin-Fisher picked up the story.
“People were upset with what was happening,” she said.
Betty quickly developed sources, and by last week, she said, “I have a lot of doctors in my cellphone.”
It wasn’t until Jan. 13 — more than two weeks into our reporting — that Summa CEO Dr. Thomas Malone was made available for an interview. He was on the phone with us for 45 minutes.
Through Jan. 17, we have written 17 stories about the Summa situation, including in-depth Sunday stories on Jan. 8 and Jan. 15.
The reporters worked under the guidance of metro editor Cheryl Powell. Cheryl reported on health care for many years before becoming an editor.
Our internal Ohio.com analytics show that many, many of you read our Summa coverage. We will continue to follow this story so you know what is going on with our largest employer.
We tell these stories not to tear down a vital institution such as Summa.
We write these stories because we care about our community.
Bruce Winges is editor of the Akron Beacon Journal/Ohio.com. He may be reached at 330-996-3858, bwinges@thebeaconjournal.com or @BruceWingesABJ .