Dear Ms. Li:

I am a working mother who is often too busy to stop for five minutes in the middle of the day. However, I have set aside this time to write you a heartfelt letter about the future of St. Luke’s.

I am alarmed, saddened and outraged about at the potential closing of St. Luke’s. I had my birth at this amazing community hospital. The midwives and nurses there were wonderful, non-intrusive and knowledgeable; I always thought of St. Luke’s as a hidden gem in this city, and told anyone who would listen to get care there. They let me have the kind of birth I wanted. (I live in Bernal Heights, and I can’t imagine having to ride across town to CPMC’s California Street campus while having contractions!) I’ve also been to St. Luke’s emergency room, and had the amazing, personal and quick service that only a community place like St. Luke’s could provide. I have personally known doctors there, and they are of the highest caliber.

But the future of St. Luke’s goes beyond me and my experience. The women’s center at St. Luke’s has always been a busy place; I can’t imagine what scores of women, many low income, some using only public transportation, will do when they need attentive health care, especially for emergencies. Low-income women deserve low intervention, caring births as much as women with private insurance. To me, the move to close St. Luke’s OB and pediatrics is a huge blow to women and another step toward dividing this city between rich and poor. I have always thought of St. Luke’s a model that other hospitals should follow—NOT a place to shut down!

We are a progressive city and our citizens deserve better. Thank you for reading this letter. I don’t consider myself an activist, just a person who cares about this city, families, and the health of our community.

Warmly,
Nora
Nora IsaacsWriter & Editor Isaacs, Ink