Letters To The Editor

Response To: Several Managerial/Administrative Positions Slashed At Good Samaritan Hospital Without Warning

Letters
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Dear Rockland County Business Journal,

Thank you for your article regarding the layoffs at Good Sam.  While the management team stated that the layoffs did not include any face to face patient interaction positions were impacted.  That is not the case.  Mary Remington was the director of spiritual care.  In her role she had much daily interaction with patients and clients, both past and present.

I am a person in recovery.  I was a client at Good  Sam.  The detox and recovery unit is referred to as 3 West.  While being processed in, I and many others spend 12-18hrs in the ER.  Mary Remington walks the ER regularly and comforts the customers in the ER.  If you were to meet Mary, you would understand.  She has a presence about her.  She instantly calms people and I have heard 1st hand from the customers she speaks with how grateful they were  for her spending time with them.
In 3 West, she is referred to as St. Mary.  She holds 1 group on Thursdays and visits the floor daily.  She schedules 1 on 1 meetings with clients should they want to talk to her.  Again, she is amazing at what she does.
Mary also visits patients along with her clergy staff.
I attend services on Sunday and visit the chapel a couple of times per week.  Mary always makes time for past clients and helps them in their recovery journey.
Her dismissal has far reaching implications and I am at a loss as I lost a major part of my recovery.  Many others will be impacted as well.
Shame on Good Sam for classifying her as administration with no interaction with patients.
I wish you could meet her.

Regards,

Michael Rost