Prior to drafting this post, I had attempted to contact the Hospice of Chattanooga CEO three times regarding the unprofessional behavior of a HOC employee. Each attempt did not produce any response from the CEO, Ms. Tracy Wood. Therefore, as mentioned in my letter to her, I would ( and am ) using social media to get her attention.
Included in this post is a copy of the letter I physically submitted to the Hamilton Place Boulevard Hospice of Chattanooga office on August 3rd. Previously, July 5th I had sent a letter via the United States Postal Service to the 4411 Oakwood Drive location. To maintain my privacy, I have removed my telephone number and residence address from this post.
The letter I hand delivered on August 3rd was accepted by a male employee. He assured me the letter would be given to Ms. Wood's assistant. He also informed me that Ms. Wood's office was not at the Hamilton Place Blvd location. I was given that address when I called the Hospice of Chattanooga Google listing to get driving directions.
On August 10th, I did a radio interview with a local station in the hopes that Ms. Wood would contact me regarding the behavior of the hospice doctor. As of August 13th, I have not heard from the Hospice of Chattanooga CEO, Ms Wood.
Tracy Wood
President and CEO, Hospice of Chattanooga
2030 Hamilton Place Blvd, Suite 2211
Chattanooga, TN 37421
August 3, 2022
RE: May 11, 2021 Visit to Hospice of Chattanooga regarding Dr. Kathleen Locker
“Don’t expect any miracles.” is what Dr. Locker said to me while my father was teetering between life and death.
I found her words to be extremely offensive, arrogant and inappropriate as she knew absolutely nothing about my spiritual values or belief system. She displayed the epitome of inconsideration. Not just for me but also for my father who was fighting for his life in Memorial hospital. Maybe she had a privilege that I just did not recognize.
Since she held herself out as a palliative care “professional”, I cannot say she exhibited a measure of hubris. To exhibit hubris you must first be a professional through certification that is subsequently augmented by appropriate behavioral norms and expectations. Well, I think at least she was certified. For her to make such an egregious statement in the presence of someone whose cognition she could not ascertain: 1) requires review of her adherence to best practices, 2) is unforgivable, and 3) is indefensible.
Even though my father eventually passed away there are countless documented empirical studies of people presumed dead who recovered and could relate with accuracy the events and conversations held in their presence. Words do have the power of life or death. And her words reinforced a failure in delivering a continuum of care for him. With her attitude, she should have stayed out of his room.
Somehow I would have expected more humane and professional compassion from a palliative care “professional”, which is what she held herself out to be. Were her words code words? Or were they simply the sincere expression from someone who reduced the intrinsic value of a patient to a routine inconvenience?
It has been more than a year since my father died. I held back on approaching this matter because it angers me, somewhat depresses me, and lingers in the back of my mind.
During December 2018, I stayed at Vanderbilt Hospital seventeen days overseeing the care of a family member ( brother in law ). I mention that because it puts in perspective a contrast between the behavioral expressions of staff members from one medical facility to another.
Just looking at me anyone might ascertain my demeanor and physical appearance was the same from one hospital to another. Or, a person may make assumptions that are incorrect. In actuality, I probably looked more disheveled at Vanderbilt Hospital as I was challenged by literally sleeping in my family member’s room while I was there.
What I found so encouraging was that I received constant positive regard and respect from all levels of staff from sub professional to professional level employees. And there was no hesitation from the doctors and shirt and tie staff to refer to me as, “Sir”, throughout the day as I would encounter them throughout the hospital. Whatever biases, problems, and or inconveniences they may have had were apparently left out of the hospital when they reported to work.
Each time I visited my father I brought a book to read. On the day Dr. Locker made her unsolicited visit I took notes of our conversation in my book. Following are the notes I took.
In June 2018 my father was admitted to Memorial Hospital. On July 9th at about 4 PM a doctor walked into his room and asked me if I was the son of the patient. I indicated I was and she introduced herself as Dr. Locker the palliative care consultant for the hospital. She stated that she would visit about once a week.
She told me that the path we choose does not always lead to miraculous choices. First unsolicited affront. And other paths lead to a shorter life. Perplexed, I asked her, “Is there an agenda?”. Her response was that her position was to take care of people and she wanted to make sure “we” understood. Maybe she thought I was stupid. I did not see the connection with her using the word “we” in her conversation. I told her that I used to sell used cars and as such I was taught to steer people into decisions. I mentioned to her that my family had been told a death certificate had been signed. She responded that maybe it was a do not resuscitate ( DNR ) order as death certificates were done at the state level.
I told her she was recycling the same information and actually some of the doctors had given my family conflicting information. I asked her if she wanted to step outside to talk and she said no. I think my displeasure in her company was beginning to show. She shifted into a song and dance about,”Is this what Mr. Roberts would want, confined to a bed with tubes?”. Second affront - false sincerity. I told her that we ( his family ) heard a constant mantra on that and since we were his representatives we wanted all technologies available to be applied for his sake. She told me, “Don’t expect any miracles” ( third affront ) and reiterated she wanted what was best for him. Somehow, I did not feel the authenticity of her words.
I told her that I used to be a board member of Hospice of Chattanooga and she said she was currently affiliated with hospice. She asked me who I had worked with and I mentioned Ben Johnson and Clark Taylor. Mr. Taylor was a former Chief Operating Officer for Hospice of Chattanooga and had also worked in an executive capacity for Memorial Hospital during his professional career. Her response was that Clark Taylor left Hospice of Chattanooga in 2010. I asked her if the conversation had a test question? When she apparently became aware that I was taking notes of our conversation she stretched her lanyard to me so that I could see her credentials. She then left the room..
Prior to my conversation with Dr. Locker but in conjunction with events prior to her approaching me, the doctors told us ( my family ) that my father was brain dead. We were not impressed that my father was brain dead and consulted with our legal representative. He reviewed Tennessee statutes of being brain dead. My father had measurable brain stem activity as determined by his medical records and was in fact not brain dead.
I sincerely feel this person, Dr. Locker failed to represent the mission statement and values of Hospice of Chattanooga. I also believe she should seek alternative employment before she has another opportunity to offend anyone’s value system. Many individuals are emotionally vulnerable and don’t know how to properly call out problems. Maybe that is why she confidently said what she said to me. Maybe she has gotten away with such behavior in the past.
PS I paid a visit to Hospice of Chattanooga around May 11, of 2021. I asked if Dr. Locker still worked for Hospice of Chattanooga. I was met with a wall of resistance by a lady who said she worked in personnel and needed to know why I was asking about Dr. Locker. Initially, her attitude was, “Who needs to know?”. I explained that I had concerns about Dr.Locker. I was then told that I could talk with Personnel at which I told the person I was talking with that my concerns needed to be filtered from the top down not the bottom up. I mentioned that I was a previous board member of Hospice of Chattanooga in the hopes that I could break through the impasse that I was presented with. After realizing that the individual I was speaking with was basically “circling the wagons” around Dr.Locker I simply left.
Later that day someone from personnel called me and reiterated that I could speak with someone above personnel but not the Hospice of Chattanooga CEO. And I again reiterated that I wanted my concerns to filter from the top down, not from the bottom up. So now it is a year later but I have not given up on sharing my concerns regarding Dr. Locker. As I previously mentioned, she has probably displayed similar behavior to others. In the overall context of society and definitions of people’s behavior, I sincerely think she would be qualified to be called a medical Karen.
Being that I was once a board member I sincerely wanted to discuss my concerns with the director of Hospice of Chattanooga as time does not excuse bad behavior. Short of that, there is always the option of social media and the general news community in Chattanooga.
Thank you
Ronald Roberts
For further clarification my background includes:
Uncle
Brother
Retired Army
Retired Social Security Administration
Masters of Public Administration
Bachelor of Psychology
Former board member Hospice of Chattanooga; Ethics and Compliance