November 2023

I have just returned from the closed session of the North Shore Hospital(NSH) Board meeting. I was there in my position as Chief of Medical Staff to present my investigation and thoughts on the termination of Dr. Bruce Dahlman from the Medical Staff of North Shore Hospital and from Wapiti (the ER group that provides services to NSH). Today, I speak to you as a physician who has worked here for 14 years and cares deeply about this community and the health of NSH. I believe you need to hear the story I have to tell.

To the editor, The North Shore Hospital Board of Directors and administrator, Kimber Wraalsted, have betrayed the trust of our community. Their treatment of a beloved and capable doctor followed by an insulting letter to the public call for immediate action. Resignation and/or recall.

It became clear at the recent NSH board meeting that NSH administration was involved in the firing of Dr. Dahlman, despite their repeated denials otherwise. It also became clear that he was not dismissed for medical reasons, nor for anything that merited his dismissal.

The Board of Directors and Administration at North Shore Health would like to thank everyone who has shared their concerns about our quality of care, our commitment to the community and the sustainability of our facility. We have heard the concerns about the change in Dr. Bruce Dahlman’s employment via email, text, social media, phone calls, and from those who attended today’s board meeting. We know it is not easy to take time from your busy schedules to share your comments, and we appreciate it. We want you to know that we hear you and we care. As a long-standing pillar of this community, North Shore Health is firmly committed to our mission: “Community Access to Compassionate Care”. That is no small task in these challenging times for rural healthcare.