To the Editor:

It really saddens me to hear of the layoff of Dr. Dyer. My son has been seeing her since he was a year old. He started out with a great doctor in Sault Ste. Marie, which changed real fast as the appointments would always be scheduled two weeks later than the day I called. Dr. Dyer always got me in the same day I called, unless she wasn't working.

One of the things that caught my attention when I was reading this week's article (April 13 issue) was how far people are traveling to see these doctors. Well, I chose to travel as I wasn't very pleased with the care of my son in Sault Ste. Marie. Dr. Dyer has been exceptional with my son. My son has seen a lot of doctors in his four years, but never talks about anyone but Dr. Dyer, going as far as saying, "Mama, I don't feel good. Will you call my girlfriend, Dr. Dyer?" He couldn't tell you the names of any other doctor that he has seen. I don't see how the layoff is going to be an answer to the problem. If there is any way possible for me to see Dr. Dyer somewhere else, then you can bet that I will be there in a heartbeat.

Another thing that caught my attention and upset me was the fact that the number of patients seen by these doctors was an issue. Basically they are being punished for the great job they are doing. Have you ever thought that the reason it takes them so long between patients is because they are so thorough? Dr. Dyer knows her patients inside and out because of the time she spends with them, which in my mind is a lot more than other doctors can say. So to the doctors that are getting all the credit and not getting a layoff because you have more patients an hour, I could only hope that you would do as great a job as Dr. Dyer.

Finally, you can think all you want that if you build a new hospital that you will get more business. It still needs to have great doctors to fill it. Thank you, Dr. Dyer, for the great care you gave my son, Tyler.

Tanya Brandt Sault Ste. Marie