“BRMC changes start next week.” As I read that headline in Friday’s edition of The Era, I was outraged, disgusted and saddened.

After all the efforts this community and its residents have made since the original closure announcement in January, it seems Upper Allegheny Health System has been deaf to our community’s outcries. Many questions went unanswered in today’s article, basically because UAHS officials refused to answer them. There was much hoopla on how they had saved jobs, but certainly no specifics on the community health impacts.

They talk ad nauseam about the importance of the “Advisory Committee,” but note it will now only meet quarterly instead of monthly.

I am proud to say I started my medical career at Bradford Regional Medical Center many years ago. I learned, worked, and taught at a hospital that took pride in the care, skills and compassion shown to patients, staff and the community.

Now it leaves me baffled and speechless to see the total disregard being shown to this community as a whole by UAHS. Our community deserves better.

Chris Woodrum

Bradford