To the Editor:

The recent article regarding the layoff of Dr. Dyer was upsetting to many parents in this community. Straits Hospital CEO Rod Nelson was quoted as saying Dr. Dyer was brought here "to increase pediatric patients," which she did, however, since she's being let go, all those patients will have to find alternate means of care, be that utilizing the general medical staff currently accepting new patients or by going to another facility.

This situation is causing stress of finding a pediatrician who has the same high medical standards and enthusiasm for her work as Dr. Dyer has. Many children have developed a rapport with Dr. Dyer that has taken years to form, and will be very upsetting to make the transition to a new doctor.

Going to see a doctor is a frightening adventure for a child. As a parent, it is comforting to know your child feels safe and secure with a doctor such as Dr. Dyer. It also doesn't seem logical to lay off a full-time pediatrician with so many patients when there is a parttime pediatrician currently staffed who is not going to accept more work at the facility. The part-time doctor's patients could be transferred to Dr. Dyer, thereby keeping the amount of pediatric patients treated at the facility.

It seems the benefit would outweigh the cost of keeping the one full-time pediatrician regardless of that doctor's Medicare/Medicaid quota.

The loss of revenue from pediatric patients leaving the facility would far exceed any money saved.

Words from the hospital's Web site, www.mshosp.org, read, "Mackinac Straits Hospital and Health Center is a nonprofit organization dedicated to meeting the health care needs of those individuals visiting or residing in and around the Mackinac Straits area."

Children reside and visit the area. How much of the dedication is going to meet their needs?

Tracey McClusky

St. Ignace