Jason Dyken

Healthcare

Many of you may have seen my ad regarding healthcare.  If you have not, please go to the print section and click on the “Concerned about Healthcare?” tab.  You should be able to view the adobe file.  In the ad I refer to a Life Savings Center.  I would like to explain this concept further.

When I practiced medicine, now almost 7 years ago, I experienced on several occasions individuals coming to my office with life threatening medical emergencies such as a heart attack or stroke.  We did everything that we could in the office; however, in most cases we would have to call the paramedics in Gulf Shores to help stabilize the patient.  We would then have to call an ambulance from Foley to come and transport the patient to the hospital north of Foley.  This process was very time intensive and luckily the emergencies I experienced had good outcomes.  Despite the successful outcomes we experienced, I was always concerned that a situation would arise where the delay in life saving treatment could cost a life.  I was concerned 7 years ago and I am still concerned today.
 
I believe we need in Gulf Shores a facility that can treat and stabilize medical emergencies.  I believe that this facility should have the support of full ambulance transport services in Gulf Shores.  I believe that a medical center designed this way will have a significant positive impact on this community and indeed will save lives.  That is why I have called it a Life Savings Center.
 
The current Urgent Care Center in Gulf Shores is a wonderful resource; however, it is not designed to accommodate true life threatening emergencies.  The Life Savings Center that I envision will have the ability to treat and stabilize true medical emergencies.  This facility should be staffed with Board Certified Emergency Room Physicians and will have full diagnostic and treatment capabilities.  Patients will be able to get treated emergently and then once stabilized get transported to the facility of their families choosing.  I believe that this center is a high priority for our community.  I will work to try to make this a reality for Gulf Shores.

As a community, there has been talk about a new hospital and a new surgical center.  I embrace the future development of these medical services in this community, but feel that those goals are more long term in nature.  The Life Savings Center is something that I believe we have needed for years and that is currently our city’s top medical priority.

I do not plan to be medically or financially involved in this center.  I envision a public private partnership utilizing the Gulf Coast Healthcare Authority to structure this venture with the support of interested healthcare delivery systems.  Only by this team approach to delivering what we need in this community are we going to improve the healthcare of the citizens of Gulf Shores.

I would like to work to try to make this dream a reality.  I realize that this goal will be challenging, but I will work as a member of the Gulf Coast Healthcare Authority and as a Councilman to make this issue a priority for our city government.

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