Dr. Mirich to Depart FMDH

Many residents of Valley County have seen a wave of opinions in forms of letters to the editor and on social media who are upset that Dr. Thomas M. Mirich III will be leaving Glasgow. Dr. Mirich is the full-time surgeon with the Orthopaedics and Sports Medicine Clinic at the Frances Mahon Deaconess Hospital.

President of the FMDH board of trustees, Karen Breigenzer, confirmed that Dr. Mirich’s last day will be Dec. 31, 2015. “We are sorry that Dr. Mirich has chosen not to negotiate a new contract with the hospital,” said Breigenzer. “We are sorry that he is leaving.”

While Breigenzer says that individual board members cannot discuss details of the contract involved due to confidentiality, she believes that the public has not had accurate information regarding Dr. Mirich’s departure, leading to the misunderstanding by some that Dr. Mirich is being forced to leave. “I’ve had several calls and letters from concerned individuals who are upset about losing a good doctor like Dr. Mirich,” said Breigenzer. “That’s understandable. He has taken care of many of us on the board as well. The board does support the administration in offering the contract to Dr. Mirich and exercising fiduciary responsibility.”

According to Breigenzer, the contract between FMDH and Dr. Mirich has been a year-to-year contract with automatic renewal. This year Dr. Mirich said no to new negotiation. Dr. Mirich has practiced in Glasgow since 2008. He specializes in sports medicine, total joint replacement and orthopaedic surgery.

Breigenzer added that the hospital has started the process of actively recruiting a new orthopaedic surgeon but wants to take the time to find a high-quality doctor with whom the hospital can provide a long-term service to our rural community.