Hospital ...
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Anwar responded by saying that the physician assistants were independent practitioners who could treat pediatric patients. That assertion brought Bozorgzad into the conversation who said, “They are not independent, Dr. Anwar, they need a supervising physician. I have to speak because what you said was incorrect.”
Later, he raised Anwar’s hackles when he pointed out that Anwar had gone to medical school in the Barbados and asked if that was because he couldn’t get into medical schools in the U.S. and Canada. “This is absolutely not professional of you,” Anwar responded, adding, “This is totally unprofessional of you to label somebody who attended a foreign medical school as substandard.”
LocaL StatS
Fire Incidents for March 2024
Total calls Total calls (34); EMS calls (10), resulting in the following transports: Saint Joseph Hospital (1), Airlift Northwest (3); Fire classification (5) resulting in outdoor burn – permit (2), outdoor burn – illegal (1), smoke investigation (1), false alarm (1); public service (8); EMS CARES/MIHC (11).
Point Roberts health clinic numbers for March 2024 (2023 figures following)
Total Total 119 (168); office visit 70 (112); labs 21 (6); PT/INR 3 (6); telemedicine visit 17 (22); Physical exams 0 (0); skin clinic 0 (9); B12 and flu shots 8 (13).
Following a suggestion by Elizabeth Mason that the discussion had gone off track, Bozorgzad related how SuperTrack had worked effectively with the fire district to run the Covid-19 testing and vaccination program. “We also do home visits. I have personally taken care of my hospice patients in Point Roberts. We are three MDs who come to Point Roberts and provide services here. If you haven’t heard this, Dr. Anwar, it’s true that many of our patients tell us that they have better access to care for appointments here at Point Roberts than they do in Bellingham.” Commissioner Noel Newbolt asked Anwar about his time commitment to Point Roberts who replied that he was currently commuting to work in Phoenix but hoped to move his family up to the Point. Anwar came close to finishing up his presentation but delved back into the foreign medical school imbroglio, complaining that Bozorgzad should not have raised the issue. A few minutes later, Wayland pointed out that there had been many people attend-
ing the Zoom meeting who had hoped to weigh in on the matter but couldn’t. She suggested that they should send their comments by email to the district.
Once again, Bozorgzad was critical of the approach taken by Falk regarding the contracting of services. “Stephen, I’d like to say one more time. This is the second time that you and this commission has undermined our ability to bring services to Point Roberts. This is the second time that you are going outside of normal contracting issues.”
“I have been interviewing doctors to add one more physician to our crew for Point Roberts. As you know, the Point Roberts contract was only for three physician assistants, and now you have three MDs. This kind of action just makes the whole contract unstable, and it puts pressure on us. So please, Stephen, take note of my objection to this path that you have taken,” he concluded.
The district’s next meeting will be held Wednesday, May 8 at 7 p.m. at the community center and via Zoom.
Senior’S Point
M enu S for M ay
Wednesday, May 1: Soup, ham and cheese sandwich, chips and ice cream.
Friday, May 3: Chicken quesadilla, Mexican rice, refried beans, shredded lettuce and dessert.
Wednesday, May 8: Tuscan tuna salad plate, multi grain roll and dessert.
Friday, May 10: Herb roasted pork loin, mashed potatoes, mixed vegetables and fruit cup.
Wednesday, May 15: Swedish meatballs, buttered noodles, green beans and dessert.
Friday, May 17: Southwest chicken breast on a bun, potato wedges, sweet corn, spinach salad and dessert. Wednesday, May 22: Open face turkey sandwich with gravy, mashed potatoes, Nantucket-blend mixed vegetables and desert
Friday, May 24: Hobo hotpot, coleslaw and ice cream/ sherbert.
Wednesday, May 29: Lentil curry, basmati rice, mixed vegetable and dessert.
Friday, May 31: BBQ pulled pork, baked beans, potato salad and peach crisp.
Lunches are served from the dining room at the community center 11:45 a.m.–12:30 p.m. or until food runs out.
Dining in creates a warm atmosphere where everyone can visit with friends and neighbors. We have plates, bowls & saucers in addition to coffee, tea, cutlery & napkins ready for you. If you can’t or are too busy to eat in, we encourage you to bring a clean container for your food to go. If not, we will be happy to sell you one for $1. For people under 60 who are fully employed, the new lunch rate is $10.
The pool, snooker and table tennis tables are waiting as are cards, shuffleboard, chess, bridge, games, puzzles, and a piano for your pleasure.
If you have any questions about Seniors and More lunches, wish to request a vegetarian meal or have a dietary concern, please let us know in advance and we will try to accommodate. Contact: prseniors@whidbey.com or call the community center at 360/945-5424.
