MIDDLESBORO — Staffing changes are in effect at Middlesboro Appalachian Regional Hospital (MARH). Over the past few months, several physicians have retired, relocated or simply left the hospital, leaving MARH in a pinch and searching for new physicians. It was recently announced that two more well-known local physicians will care for their patients at a different healthcare facility.

In a recent letter to his patients, Dr. Neil Barry, III stated that he and Dr. Thomas Epperson are no longer admitting their patients to MARH. The change became effective on May 1. Instead, both internal medicine specialists have moved their practices to Pineville Community Hospital (PCH). Dr. Trampus Nolan has made the same move.

“The hospital and its medical staff are very disappointed that this has evolved,” said MARH Interim CEO Paul Miles of Barry and Epperson’s switch to PCH. “We certainly don’t think that this decision is 110 percent supportive of our local community or in support of the patients either.”

Barry no longer serves on MARH Board of Trustees or as Chief of Staff, as he once did. And Miles wants everyone to know that this was not the decision of the hospital. The hospital never revoked Barry or Epperson’s privileges, “they can still admit patients,” Miles said.

There are a number of doctors who have already left the Middlesboro community. Dr. Barry said in his letter, “we certainly miss” Dr. Satish, Urologist, Dr. Matson, OB/GYN, Dr. Dholakia, Pediatrician, Dr. Irshad, Internal Medicine Hospitalist, Dr. Langub, General Medicine, Dr. Brooks, Internal Medicine, Dr. Decardenas, ENT and Dr. Valencia, General Surgeon. All of the doctors he referred to have left MARH or are in the process of leaving at this time, each for different reasons.

“There are several senior level physicians at the Middlesboro Hospital who have decided to work on a part-time basis only. Needless to say, we [MARH] are short-handed,” Dr. Barry stated.

Miles denies that the hospital is “short-handed”. He said that physician recruitment is difficult, especially in smaller communities such as Middlesboro but, “we have physician candidates that are ‘in the pipeline’”.

As for PCH, Director of Human Resources Greg Nunnelley said that since Dr. Barry and and Dr. Epperson have joined the PCH team, hospital census or patient population is already up by 10 percent. “They are large providers,” Nunnelley said.

“PCH is very pleased to have these physicians joining our medical staff,” said Nunnelley. “We really appreciate the confidence these doctors have in us to refer their patients to us.”

Dr. Barry commended PCH, comparing the facility to MARH. He said that PCH is actually larger in size than MARH. Pineville has a newly renovated Intensive Care Unit (ICU), emergency room and telemetry floors. He also said that their “laboratory services are excellent” and they recently installed a brand new CT scanner, which is the newest one in this area.

For patients who are displeased with Barry’s decision, he offered some advice. “I will be happy to care for them in the office, but when they come to the emergency room, they will be admitted to the doctor on call.”

Furthermore, patients who do not wish to be treated at PCH and check in to MARH’s emergency room may request a transfer to one of the larger hospitals in Knoxville, Tenn., according to Barry. He noted that St. Mary’s, Fort Sanders, Baptist West and the University of Tennessee were all alternative treatment centers.

As for the office visits, Barry says that they will remain unchanged. He concluded his letter by saying, “I am hopeful that Middlesboro will be successful in its efforts to recruit new physicians and if they are, I will keep you posted as to a possible return.”

Although Miles is not pleased with the current staffing changes, he wanted the community to know that “there should not be any concern of MARH’s closure.”

When asked to address rumors that MARH would be purchased by another company, Miles denied the rumors. MARH will not be purchased by Mercy Hospital System or anyone else, according to Miles. He said there was “no truth to that” and “that is nothing of any substance.”

“We [MARH] have been here for over 50 years. We’ve supported the community for 50 plus years,” Miles concluded. “We’re looking for the community to support us at this point.”

Sarah Miracle is a staff writer for the Middlesboro Daily News. She may be contacted via e-mail at smiracle@middlesborodailynews.com.