Must read scathing resignation letter from medical director says ‘people are dying needlessly’ in Nation’s Capital

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On the job just seven months, Dr. Jullette Saussy has resigned as medical director of the DC Fire & EMS Department saying the department “is highly toxic” to delivering “quality pre-hospital care.” Saussy, who previously, ran EMS  for the city of New Orleans, sent a scathing resignation letter to Mayor Muriel Bowser on January 29. It is reproduced below or can be downloaded here.

Here is the email Chief Gregory Dean sent to members of the DC City Council:

Dear Member,

Yesterday, Dr. Jullette M. Saussy informed us of her resignation as Medical Director of the Department, effective Friday, February 12, 2016. We thank her for her service and wish her well in her future endeavors.

We are working diligently to find an Interim Medical Director. I want to assure you that all of our plans for EMS reform will continue uninterrupted.

Very truly yours,

Gregory M. Dean
Fire and EMS Chief

GMD:ds

Ben Nuckols, AP via WTTG-TV/FOX 5:

The medical director of the District of Columbia’s long-troubled fire department is stepping down, saying “people are dying needlessly” because the department is resistant to reform.

Saussy says a 35-year-old man died of a “potentially survivable” stab wound last month after an ambulance took more than 18 minutes to arrive. She says that happened because too many resources are devoted to “low-level calls.”

Michael Czin, a spokesman for Mayor Muriel Bowser, says the mayor is “committed to reforming” the department and improving patient outcomes.