I find letter by Ms. Badini offensive and unsupported, and I trust the RTM won’t let such misconduct rule the day. It is troubling that someone who knows nothing about me and has never spoken to me would claim to speak on my behalf.
Response to False Allegations by Amy Badini
Ms. Amy Badini falsely claims that I am in favor of privatizing Nathaniel Witherell. That is absolutely false. My concern is first and foremost to improve medical services.
The second offensive remark is that I ”do not have the well-being of the residents as [my] top priority.” This statement is both untrue and based in ignorance. As a physician who has spent 43 years serving and advocating for my patients to the best of my ability and serving my profession and community, it is really outrageous that Ms. Badini would make such a false accusation.
The third statement regarding Covid vaccination misrepresents my position. I am not vaccinated because I had Covid, and on the advice of my physician I did not vaccinate due a medical condition where the risks of vaccination outweigh the benefits. I believe that in high-risk groups Covid vaccines have been effective in preventing death and serious illness. However, in those that are not in high-risk groups the decision to be vaccinated should not be a mandate any more than flu shots, but instead be based on an informed consent discussion between a patient and their physician regarding the risks benefits of vaccination.
My Background
I am a Board-Certified Ophthalmic Surgeon and a long time Greenwich Resident. I became a lawyer while being a full-time physician. I have lived a life of service on numerous medical and not-medical Boards.
Among numerous other positions, I have served on the New York County Medical Society with several roles including, President and Chairman of the Board of Trustees.
I am the current Chairman of the SUNY Downstate Medical Center Alumni Association Endowment Fund that provides scholarships, grants and other support to medical students.
As for Hospital Service, which has similarities to nursing homes, I served on the Networking and Contracting Committee for New York Eye and Ear Hospital and their Board of Managers during the formation of Mount Sinai Health Partners, a clinically integrated IPA with over 6,000 physicians. I served on the Operating Room Committee who’s role was to ensure the efficient management of patient flow from admission, surgery and discharge from the hospital.
In Greenwich I served on the Board of Trustees of Temple Sholom for six years and I was the Chairman of the Committee of Trustees. This is all relevant experience that would assist me carry out my duties at Witherell.
Why Nathaniel Witherell
Following a stroke, my mother-in-law spent time in multiple facilities, including Nathaniel Witherell. I am a technically active senior citizen who is very familiar with and understands the important role that Nathaniel Witherell plays in serving our community. I believe that my role on the Board of NW would first and foremost be focused on improving the level of care. In my specialty of Ophthalmology I serve a lot of elderly patients and I have a strong feelings that they should not be neglected or abused as has occurred. For 43 years I have honored the oath I have sworn to serve my patients which also means advocating for them. I strongly believe that the residents of Nathaniel Witherell are entitled to the best quality of care possible. Unfortunately, that has not been the case and the rating of the nursing home is extremely poor. This must be fixed.
The Future
Nathaniel Witherell must provide top quality care to its residents, it needs to improve its ratings and attract self-paying patients, it needs to attract more in-patient rehabilitation patients and to increase its occupancy rate while expanding into outpatient rehab and examine the feasibility of adult daycare.
Billing is the lifeblood and must be done by people who are experienced in medical billing with follow up action for denied claims. This has been a weakness of Witherell for far too long and the system needs to be evaluated to see how the facility can increase the reimbursement for services due to better records and proper billing.
I believe all of this must be done BEFORE any thought is given to whether to privatize NW and I am glad to devote my time energy and effort to achieve these goals.
Should the Town, including the RTM, want to consider privatization in the future, I understand from my personal experience the connection the Town has with Nathaniel Witherell and we will work to retain those ties even if a privatization occurs.
I thank the members of the RTM for their time and consideration, and I hope to get your confirmation.
Brad Radulovacki also circulated a statement via the RTM all 230-member email
I am Brad Radulovacki and I serve with you on the RTM. I am now also a candidate for the Nathaniel Witherell Board. I have over a decade of experience in managing and operating urgent care centers and am very interested in helping the Nathaniel Witherell provide the best care for its residents in a responsive and efficient manner.
Some members of the Witherell Family Council have written in opposition to my candidacy for the Board because they fear I may be set on privatizing the facility, but I can assure you that I have not made my mind up on any potential restructuring alternatives. However, I recognize that privatization is likely one of the alternatives the Town may consider if this can provide better care for the residents and lead to more efficient and effective operations.
If we can achieve those goals through self-management, I would be prepared to support that path as well.
Opponents of my candidacy have argued that I have publicly advocated for privatization, which is untrue. At Appointments last night, when this question was raised, I read my public comments and showed that I never advocated for any particular solution. The only public record of my comments regarding Witherell is to (1) urge board members to better educate themselves about the key operational issues causing the on-going instability in levels of service and financial performance at the nursing home and (2) highlight the need for better financial controls regarding billing patients. Both of these issues were illustrated in consultant reports available to the board and are presently the subject of a review by the Town finance department.
The Witherell is in urgent need of the best management, board oversight and staffing. The past 2 years have been the most difficult time for the Witherell in decades. We’ve witnessed a decline to a one-star rating (now 2 stars), instability in key management positions, an unprecedented bad debt write-off ($5-6 million and counting) and faltering enrollment.
My experience can help ensure that either as a standalone entity or with the help of a professional manager we will improve the level of service and avoid many of the current financial pitfalls. I have strong relevant experience, motivation and a patient-centered vision of how health care should be delivered. I have spent 2 years educating myself about the Witherell as part of the Finance Committee Working Group on the Witherell.
I volunteered for this position because my experience as a manager and operator of urgent care centers, where patient satisfaction and efficiency in providing services is the key to success.
This is what we need to make the Witherell the best it can be. I am excited to give back to the Town, and assure you my desire to help is sincere and open-minded. I hope you will support me in my goal to improve the Witherell. If you have any questions, please feel free to reach out as I would be happy to talk to you more about this. Thank you.
Family Council member Amy Badini
On Thursday, Ms Badini addressed RTM district 6, where she said First Selectman Camillo had made it clear that he wanted to “unload” the Witherell for a long time.
“Last year, when he realized that the board has the vote to privatize or remain a town service, he has been steadily marching toward the goal of placing folks on the board who are favorable to privatization.”
To share an opinion on the Witherell or the nominees, it is possible to email all 230 members of the RTM.
See also:
UPDATED: Town Owned Nathaniel Witherell Nursing Home Board Chair Larry Simon Resigns; Brad Markowitz Elected New Chair March 29, 2023
Dozens Speak during Public Hearing on Possible Privatization of Nathaniel Witherell December 2022
CAMILLO: Multi-Million Dollar Annual Subsidies at Witherell Are Unfair to Taxpayers November 2022
Witherell Overall Rating Drops to 1 Star after Inspections Reveal 16 Deficiencies Including Abuse
Aug 2022
Dissecting the Loss of the Nathaniel Witherell’s 5-Star Rating November 30, 2022
Town Issues RFP for Management Services In Conjunction with Possible Sale of Nathaniel Witherell
Nov 9, 2020
“Isolation Kills, Too” Rally Advocates for Residents of Long-Term Care Facilities Suffering from Social Isolation
March 9, 2021