Residents in Warsaw, N.Y., are petitioning Wyoming County Community Hospital to reinstate a terminated orthopedic surgeon, Livingston County News reported Feb. 19.
According to the petition, his practice has maintained The Joint Commission's advanced hip and knee certification since 2019 and sees 500 to 700 patients per month. Petition signers include hospital employees and community members.
"Since 2014, Dr. Mason and his team have offered the highest quality orthopedic services to our Wyoming County community," the petition reads. "Highly regarded by his colleagues, employees, and patients, Dr. Mason was the highest ranking physician according to patient survey scores at WCCH."
The petition garnered 646 signatures in its first 13 hours online. As of Feb. 22, the petition has more than 2,400 signatures.
Dr. Mason and his physician assistant Jim O'May published a letter Feb. 21 in The Daily News about their departure. The letter said the termination or resignation of Dr. Mason and other physicians happened after the hospital's CEO, Don Eichenauer, retired and the hospital's strategic direction changed.
The duo still plans to practice in western New York, the letter said.
"We have been committed to providing the best orthopedic care over the last 8 years and will stay committed, unfortunately, not associated with WCCHS," they wrote. "We would like to express our gratitude for your overwhelming support over the years and are honored and humbled by your trust in us, allowing us to care for you and your loved ones."
Wyoming County Community Hospital did not respond to a request from Becker's for comment.