To the BBAHC Board of Directors:

The retention of healthcare professionals who are invested in the best interests of our region is essential to the health and wellbeing of our communities. The string of recent firings and resignations at BBAHC has resulted in a massive loss of talented individuals, who are all dedicated to a thriving and healthy Bristol Bay. Information or reasoning behind what seems to be a growing toxicity at BBAHC and the consequent firings/resignations has been limited or obscured. This is why the recent losses of staff, including a homegrown and highly competent and dedicated Pharmacist, is appalling and necessitates corrective action. This departure and others call into question the leadership and policies at BBAHC.

Evelyn Olson and other staff who have recently resigned or been fired have spent years developing the skill set required to serve the health needs of our community. Evelyn returned to Dillingham upon graduating from pharmacy school in 2013. At that time, the pharmacy was hazardous. Patients weren’t getting medications in a timely manner, often having to wait many hours after being seen in the clinic. With Evelyn and Kane (former pharmacy director recently fired) providing permanence and stability, the pharmacy has expanded services and hours, all while delivering exemplary care in a timely fashion. A pharmacist is available 24/7; inpatient medications are barcoded for safety; medications for Grandma’s House are in individual bubble packs. These are just a few of the major contributions they have made to improving care in our community.

As community members we are dependent on reliable and competent care from our health corporation, and we demand accountability from the administration and the Board of BBAHC. This pattern of firings and departures of essential staff at BBAHC has degraded the environment and level of care available to patients, and it must stop.

If employees of BBAHC are not allowed to speak up for themselves or fairly grieve their firings, we must speak up for them. Our family and friends in this community have and will continue to suffer if this destructive pattern isn't corrected and stopped.

We ask the BBAHC Board to hold accountable those responsible for perpetuating these unjust firings and creating a hostile work environment.

We ask that members of the BBAHC health care team who were fired or left with no choice but to resign due to the toxic leadership and environment, be reinstated should they be willing to return.

Sincerely,