If anyone is interested in supporting Dr.Rauh by participating in a protest/picket line Tuesday May 12th, on the Haynes Avenue sidewalk in front of the Billings clinic, please post here. The protest will start at noon. Dr. Rauh is a huge asset to our community and to women's healthcare in Eastern Montana. I think we need to show our support for him and all he has done for Eastern Montana.

Also, if anyone wants to contact Billings Clinic and voice your concerns you can contact Jim Duncan at: [email protected] or at 406-657-4643.

What are we protesting?

So- is it true that Dr. Rauh is not able to see patients? Does anyone really know what the situation is? I agree that he deserves support, as he has been a huge asset to the community.
Paula

Ok so no one answered the previous question...what is going on??? What are people protesting???

This is the first I've heard anything---can someone please shed some light on this???

There are a whole bunch of pregnant women that don't know what is going on with their doctor and are very concerned. Sounds like Billings Clinic is trying to get rid of the best doctor that ever existed. Nobody at the clinic will tell anybody what is going on except for that they have to choose a different doctor. I have a feeling that if they get rid of Dr. Rauh the whole clinic will lose lots of patients. Not because of the doctors there but because of the crap going on with Dr. Rauh.

How do you know that the doctor isn't leaving because he wants to??

It would be nice to have an idea of what was going on so one could decide if you want to support or not. Billings clinic cut off their nose to spite their face when they quit offering samples. This alone is enough for me to protest against them. However, knowledge of what is happening at this time would be of benefit.

As I recall, Dr Rauh announced some time ago that he was retiring this year.
Perhaps that is the reason for all the hoo-rah.

Considering this initial poster has just signed on today, I would seriously give this whole "picketing" idea a second thought. Sounds to me like someone want to stir the pot.

sorry to hear that Billings Clinic no longer gives out samples....I know some folks that depend on samples to help with their meds...I am getting very sick of the "for profit" medical industry...

The scoop thus far is...as of May 14th at the end of the work day Dr. Rauh was placed on 'indefinite' administrative leave by Billings Clinic. What that means to those of us who have Dr. Rauh as a provider is that we currently DO NOT have a provider. Not only is Dr. Rauh an immense asset to women's health but also to the community in general. Any of you who have ever been pregnant or in need of women's health realizes that being without a provider is not something to be taken lightly.

This is a great example of Billings Clinic putting money First and patient care at the bottom of the list. Hence the reason for the protest against Billings Clinics actions.

This has placed any women who are currently expecting a baby or scheduled for surgery completely without. Billings Clinic claims to have provided coverage for Dr. Rauh during this incident but in fact they have not brought in coverage that even closely compares to Dr. Rauh's ability to handle high risk OB patients or anyone able to perform the surgeries that are scheduled to be done by Dr. Rauh. So once again, those of us in the community in need of someone with Dr. Rauh's expertise and abilities are left with the only option of leaving our homes and families and friends to deliver babies and have these surgeries done elsewhere. We are very fortunate to have a couple family practice Dr.'s in town that are very capable of delivering babies, but unfortunately, none of them can handle the high risk situations that Dr. Rauh can.

So support for Dr. Rauh comes down to the fact that he has provided amazing services to the people of South Eastern MT for generations, medically and as a community member. It infuriates me that an organization like Billings Clinic feels that they can deface him by placing him on administrative leave only months before he is due to retire. In my opinion this is a way for Billings Clinic to not only impose their "power" on someone as talented as Dr. Rauh but on the community as well by forcing us to choose to go to Billings.

What Billings Clinic needs to remember is that people do not go to Billings Clinic for Billings Clinic, they go to Billings Clinic for the Dr.s that are there, DR. Rauh being one of their greatest strong points. I for one am more than happy to take my health care and that of my family to someone other that Billings Clinic, who has made it evident just how unimportant their patients are, and rather how the importance to Billings Clinic lies on their patients method of payment.

"Sounds like Billings Clinic is trying to get rid of the best doctor that ever existed." so very true Dr. Rauh is a great and caring Dr. and he will be dearly missed

[This message has been edited by eeyoor (5/8/2009)]

This saddens me -- Dr. Rauh has been a rock in this community.

What concerns me are the reasons for his indefinate "administrative leave". As patient confidence in a doctor is a marketing asset for a clinic, administrative leave is used only in extreme circumstances. It is typically used to suspend a doctor from practice during an investigation of a very serious medical error.

For those of us who have known Rauh for years, it is inconceivable that he would have committed such a serious medical error.

We should not speculate, but sadly, is not unusual to see "administrative leave" used to neutralize an adversary. I have witnessed this happen in an instance where charges were entirely trumped up, the victim was suspended and eventually, after much harrassment of the professional who was suspended, the charges went away. It is an ugly way to remove the influence or power of a respected person, when there is sculdrudgery afoot, and the damage is immense.

If this is the case, let's hope that Rauh was put on leave because he gave management at Billings Clinic an earful about how they do business.

Also meant to ask -- before this goes too far, how did people hear of this? Were patients notified by phone or mail that they need to find a new doctor? Were patients turned away? There certainly aren't any press releases out there that I can find.

Thanks.

clm, Expecting patients were called with the choice of picking a one Dr. here or a traveling Dr. Hope the traveling Dr. is here when the birth pains hit. Billings Clinic I bet doesn't realize what Dr. Rauh means to South East Montana, but bet they do after Tuesday. Hope the Star has pictures and covers this Tuesday. Heck, someone call the Billings Gazette too.

My mother was his nurse for years. He was my doctor during a difficult pregnancy and got me referred to a doctor in Oregon who allowed me to end up with a healthy baby. He was a total rock for me when the news looked horrible and I broke down in his office.
We will support from here in what ever way we can.

I see that this happened May 14 ( a year ago?) according to a previous poster. Why are people just now getting wind of it?

I can only assure you that Dr. Rauh's practice is based fully on excellence in care and compassion. I have known him for 28 years and have had the privilege of working with him in the healthcare setting for many of those years.

Billings Clinic Miles City (Deaconess) unfortunately took an opportunist moment to enter this city and has since set the stage to funnel healthcare dollars to Deaconess in Billings. Dr. Rauh is getting in their way by offering an extremely high level of medical and surgical care for OB/GYN patients here through him office care and care at Holy Rosary Healthcare. Deaconess would rather have him send patients on to Billings to have the specialists there provide the care, shift revenue to Billings Deaconess hospital, and validate the "specialist's" existence. Some time ago a patient from here made a trip to Denver to see a specialist for a second opinion. The specialist examined and reviewed diagnostic data then asked, "Why on earth did you come all the way here when you have access to one of the best OB/GYNs in the region right at home in Miles City."

His sucessful care and treatment have enabled pregnancies to continue to the birth of healthy babies - much to the joy of many grateful parents. Women with debilitating gyn problems finally get solutions.

Dr. Rauh cannot be faulted in his dedicated care. Deaconess takes exception with the fact that he puts patient care first and not revenue for Deaconess. "Follow the money." There is the answer to why Dr. Rauh is being persecuted in this manner. Is is also the answer why Deaconess has decided to endanger the lives of mother's and babies in this community.

Darcy - thanks so much for bringing this situation out into the open. I'll see you on the picket line Tuesday.

Donna, apparently mt mom forgot to check her calendar before she began blogging her novel/scoop.

Subject: RE: SUPPORT FOR DR.RAUH
Author: mt_mom Posted: 5/8/2009 4:13:57 PM From: - MT
The scoop thus far is...as of May 14th at the end of the work day Dr. Rauh was placed on 'indefinite' administrative leave by Billings Clinic.

Um, K.? Your explanation didn't really clear things up. At least, it didn't in my little pea brain. So, for my sake and perhaps Donna's, can you clarify if the date was perhaps May 4th? (not the 14th)-- or whatever the real date was. Thanks.

K.Duffy, sounds like you are on the fight over letting others know about Dr. Rauh. Maybe I just read your posts wrong. But it is a sad day that Billings Clinic fires Dr. Rauh or puts on him on leave.

My impression of K.Duffy's post is that the news came today, but that the leave doesn't take effect until the 14th, whatever that is worth.

Um my (probably even smaller) pea brain was only drawing it to everyones attention that it is only May 8th today...

Billings Clinic is looking out for number one. Always have, always will.They say the patient is number one when the fact is the $$ is all that matters. They no more have anything vested in Miles City Montana than the man in the moon does. The administration in Miles City are only puppets. Which after awhile you would think they would catch on to. Unfortunatly the very fine and caring physicians and staff are the ones that are given a bad rap. They are well know and locals and are just as embarresed and upset as the rest of us. What to do?? Good question.

He was put on leave May 1st, 2009.

I have always heard that politics plays a great part in Miles City in the medical industry....this is a perfect example of it, I think...Greed vs Welfare of the patients....So far it looks like Greed is winning....So sad...My admiration and prayers go out to Dr Rauh....

Darcy said to contact Jim Duncan. Isn't Jim from Miles City originally? If he is who I think he is then he should have some feelings for Miles City.

The main question in my mind is this....What was Dr. Rauh supposed to have done to make this happen? Billings Clinic has lots of incompetent doctors but they are allowed to continue practicing in Billings. I don't understand why they did this so quickly. Or has it been an ongoing thing and they just came to this decision?

Darn, I might just to call in sick to picket and if my employers see me it was all for a good cause. I love that man as a Doctor. He is a wonderful man and he is a very valuable asset to this town. It is sad that Deconess has done what they are doing. Dr. Rauh just stood up for his rights for his patients and they didn't like that. Deconess Stinks.

I got a call today from a person in Red Lodge telling me "Dr. Rauh was out of the office for an indefinite period" and I had to see some doctor I have never heard up to explain a complicated condition I have been treated for over a year!!!!! I assumed Dr. Rauh was ill. If he was booted for not sending enough bucks to Billings, I will start seeing a doctor at Holy Rosary long before I give another dime to the Billings Clinic. We patients need some definite answers ASAP!

Yeah, sorry for the mistake in the date, I was totally looking at the wrong month! But as Darcy said, he was placed on leave at the beginning of May.

Also, as tax payer said, some of Dr. Rauh's pt.s received a call with the information that they must choose another provider, I for one have still never received a call and have less than a week and a half left until I deliver.

The "phone calls" did not start until after Wednesday when Billings Clinic must have finally realized how upset Dr. Rauh's pt.s and this community were. Until that point we were told that they were only "rumors" and that the staff "did not know what was going on." Once again a great example of Billings Clinics professionalism...saying "I don't know what is going on with your OB Dr." to a pregnant woman who is 9 months pregnant is NOT the right answer!

Dr. Rauh is not someone who will be railroaded into compliance and has and will continue to put his patients first...therefore, his theory behind patient care obviously does not coincide with Billings Clinics theory.

Today might be an excellent chance for Holy Rosery to pick up the doc and put him on their staff until his planned retirement....That would show their good will toward the community IMO....

Doesn't anyone find it odd that they did this when he was going to be moving in a month anyway? To me that says that something had to have happened. But knowing Billings Clinic as I do, patients come last and truth is never told.

Kacey
Dr. Rauh was not moving in a month - he was not leaving until December and has taken women who were due into November.

Then he changed his mind because I know of people he told that he was leaving this summer.

If you were a patient of his you would have got a letter early in the year that stated he would be practicing into December!

I don't live in Miles City any more, but Dr. Rauh was my doctor for about 7 years. I know him to be a very knowledgeable and caring doctor, which is very hard to find (in my opinion). I, too, have been told by another doctor (in Denver)that they were familiar with Dr. Rauh and that he was highly thought about. I feel especially upset about his being placed on administrative leave. Not only is it a grave mistake (if it truly is about internal politics), it could be placing women's lives in jeopardy. The Billings Clinic has not provided a qualified substitute and has not been forthcoming about the whole situation. This alone has put many of Dr. Rauh's patients in a stressful situation that was avoidable. OB doctors are certainly specialized and spend many visits getting to know their patients. Having a baby isn't like getting your oil changed....you don't just pick the nearest quick lube and drive in.....your OB is on the journey with you. You come to trust and rely on your doctor. They care about you and about your baby. They provide a sense of calm during a time of much stress and worry for most women. Women put their lives and the lives of their families in the hands of their OB's. If I didn't live so far away, I'd be right there on Tuesday to show my support. I applaud Darcy for taking the initial step to support Dr. Rauh. I had no idea that she had posted the original post in support of Dr. Rauh. I'm proud of her....not only because she's my sister-in-law, but because I think she is standing up for what is right and what should be done. Oh, by the way, Darcy (I hope you don't mind me saying this) is expecting and was to be induced on May 14th...you can imagine her shock to go to her appointment with Dr. Rauh only to be given the run around.....and she still doesn't have any answers! I think the way they handled this is VERY UNPROFESSIONAL!! They should be ashamed of themselves.

I was upset to see that Dr. Rauh was retiring, but this is terrible! My prayers and thoughts go out to all the women that are currently using him as their doctor. Dr. Rauh is an awesome doc and I will support him on Tuesday.

I hate adding to the rumor mill, but this is my personal experience with the whole ordeal.
I saw Dr. Rauh on on Thursday April 30, the day before he was to leave on a scheduled vacation for 10 days. He informed me of this and told me they would schedule my next week's check with Dr. Grantham, but then he would see me in the delivery room on the 12th. He was sincere in his comment. I would like to beleive that he would not flat out lie to me if he was aware of what was going on at that point. I did not know anything until the following week at my appointment with Dr. Grantham. At that appointment I was told I would need to choose another Dr. I was not given any other explanation other than that he was put on leave indefinetely. I am 38 weeks pregnant, scheduled to deliver on the 12th because of a complicated pregnancy, and I am told to choose a new Dr. That does not give much time to find a new Dr. that I would trust as much Dr. Rauh. And did I mention the extra stress this has caused?! If Billings Clinic wants to take care of their patients, why wouldn't they at least allow him to finish out with the patients he has to deliver at least this month or next week. At least that would give 38-40 week patients a delivery and time for other patients to find a new Dr if they have to.
To me the whole thing is upsetting.

If any of Dr. Rauh's patients suffer any type of emotional or physical injury due to this stress factor and lack of their doctor, that sounds like a class action lawsuit to me....Billings Clinic is playing with fire IMO.....

I agree 100% with everyone that Dr. Rauh is a very caring Dr. He cares about many. He isn't just a Dr. He is a caring person who wants to visit with you and take care of you and help you make decisions. He doesn't turn you away and wants to help you find answers. Most of us got the original letter from his office but this is very disturbing. I am very tempted to start using Holy Rosary Doctors because of this issue. I am not sure what to say to BIllings clinic but you have already changed many things about your billing and such but why do this to many trusting patients. You have sent down other doctors to fill in before at your clinic and they were not caring at all you were just another patient. With Rauh you are a person. That means a lot to a woman when you are dealing with your first or last baby!

Move the protest to Monday, as the Billings Clinic is meeting with expecting parents at 11 am and 3 pm.

Monday would be a good day, but we also want to be informed of what Billings Clinic has to say that day. We will protest Tuesday and continue through the week if neccessary....might make Billings Clinic even more nervous if this is going on during Bucking Horse Sale. The biggest thing is that the BIGGER THE TURN OUT THE BETTER. Please encourage any and all women, men, anyone, to come to the rally on Tuesday at noon to support Dr. Rauh!

OK, so no one really answered the question "what did he do" to warrant admistrative leave? He's a great guy and Dr., but before I was to sign up and pace a small stretch of street, I'd be sure that I knew what I was protesting about. Maybe the charge is not something one wants to support no matter how great the alleged do'er.

I don't quite understand why Dr. Rauh's patients have to choose another doctor to deliver in Miles City.

Billings Clinic doesn't have anything to do with Holy Rosary, correct? Doesn't Dr. Rauh still have privileges there? He had his own office for years, what would prevent him from seeing his patients in a location other than at the Billings Clinic's facility?

We haven't heard anything but rumor about the issue. No one has contacted Dr. Rauh directly and, even if they did, I suspect his contract would require non-disclosure. One rumor said he refused to go to Billings to deliver a baby but that is hardly cause for dismissal. There is obviously a great deal more to this story but no one is telling us what it is.

It is very distressing to lose a competent doctor who has been treating you for a complicated condition for a long period and have to deal with a total stranger who has no idea what you are going through with no explanation. As for the women abandoned days before their delivery date. . . I still can't believe that!

um.. can you explain what this has to do with the topic?

I know that my cousin has had a phone call to tell her that her surgery (very complicated one at that - 8 hours long) would have to be rescheduled and with a new doctor at that... but they were not told when or why they would have to choose a new dr! HELLO! As a patient that is something that you really really want to know when it is your health that depends on your decisions!

To top it off after she got this phone call I myself called the office (as I have a complete hysto scheduled for June 5) and wanted to verify the date and time etc... you know what? I wasn't told ANYTHING about it I was told that that was correct I would be there on the 5th for surgery. I am mad at the clinic for the lack of information they are giving me when I call there for answers.

To all of you women who are in the predicament that you are in with your deliveries and no doctors --- I am so sorry! I feel for you I really do.

I am not from MC but I would drive there to support him in anyway I can. I figure that if he hasnt done anything wrong in my treatments other than help me all these years then I would STILL recommend him highly to all my famliy and friends!

He is a very dedicated Dr. and has seen me through many tough times. And for that I couldnt ask for more! I do wish that I knew exactly what was happening as a patient I feel very left in the dark about what my provider (that I have a planned medical proceedure with soon) is not around anylonger for!

The protest has been moved up to Monday, May 11th @ noon in front of the Billings Clinic.......

Cheyenne,
Better ask permission to do that from K.DUFFY since they think that ya'll are just "stirring the pot" or they are to busy trying to break down some of the people that are showing their support for Dr Rauh.

Thanks Jeff......I won't actually be there....I was just relaying the info that the date had been moved up. I don't think it's a crime to stand up for something that you believe in. Basically, it's to support Dr. Rauh and to protest how the OB patients have been treated by Billings Clinic. I personally don't think this is "stirring the pot". If the clinic truly was focused on customer relations it would have never come to this. It has been a very stressful situation for some of the pregnant women. The clinic should have been more prepared for the patients and offered them a suitable dr. to see....not just a family practice doctor....that doesn't help the high-risk ladies at all.....

To answer the question of can't Dr. Rauh continue to practice at Holy Rosary, unfortunately no. This comes from the main office at HRH, he has priviledges at HRH but due to the fact that he is under contract with Billings Clinic and they are who has placed him on admin leave, he does not have Malpractice insurance while on leave.

So Billings Clinic can either relieve him of his contract so that HRH can pick him up, or remove him from administrative leave so that he has his malpractice insurance.

Once again, it is up to Billings Clinic, who obviously doesn't care.

Please refer to the new post regarding the protest in support of Dr. Rauh. It is titled "PROTEST IN SUPPORT OF DR. RAUH CHANGED TO MONDAY". It will be held on Monday May 11th, 2009 at noon. Thank you.

Thanks to HRHC for paying for a locum's doctor to provide coverage in Dr. Rauh's absence.

I would like to ask Billings Clinic management why they are not providing coverage and or paying for it.

Please correct me if I am wrong, but it seems the BC management has told Miles City how they feel with their actions.

Sad to see this whole situation.

I'm sad Too!!! We just found out that our daughter is going to give us our first grandbaby and the only Doctor we could find is at Billings Clinic...nothing against Dr. Gallo, but it just galls me that we have to go to Billings Clinic for her care. Also, with Dr. Van Marel leaving, we have to go to Billings Clinic for My husbands care....I want to cry....I REALLY don't want to give BC a dime of my hard earned $$$$$$. This absolutely SUCKS. I will be there tomorrow walking the sidewalk in support for the wonderful Dr. Rauh. He took such great care of me in February when I needed my hysterectomy. I will miss him so very much.

Unfortunatley all of this is not a suprise to many of us in the medical community. Also before people pack up and move to the other side of the street, know things are not grand there either.
Many years ago when the Presentation Sisters sold(the Hospital) to the Sisters of Charity our greatest fear was we would be a stabilize and transport stop for Billings. We made our fears known and of course we were promised that would not happen. Than the Docs became unhappy with the Sisters of Charity and the then CEO and most went into private practice. Billings Clinic saw an oppurtunity to get their foot in the door and began talks with certain doc's. The next thing we know is BC(Deaconess) has a clinic in MC and the whole St. V's/Deaconess B.S. is full bore in little MC.
As of late it seems both of the Hospital's in Billings would like to use MC as stabilize and transport funnel. The good Doctors and Nurses have been worried sick about the future of "our hospital". Please support them and let both hospitals leadership know we the people of this community will not stand for this. We need and want a full service hospital in this town.
P.S. To the hospital nurses you stay strong and continue with your unified voice. This community thinks your great and health care in this town needs your voice.

PROTEST/PICKET LINE TODAY!!!!!! PLEASE MEET ON THE HAYNES AVENUE SIDEWALK IN FRONT OF BILLINGS CLINIC AT NOON. PLEASE COME OUT AND SUPPORT DR. RAUH AND SHOW BILLINGS CLINIC THAT WE WILL STAND UP FOR WHAT WE BELIEVE IN...AND THAT IS DR. RAUH. WE NEED AS MANY PEOPLE AS POSSIBLE. IF THERE IS EVER A TIME TO SHOW YOUR SUPPORT FOR A CAUSE, THIS IS IT. TAKE A STAND FOR WHAT YOU BELIEVE IN.

HE WHO BELIEVS IS STRONG; HE WHO DOUBTS IS WEAK. STRONG CONVICTIONS PRECEDE GREAT ACTIONS.

Loisa May Alcott

I just want to say that I am definitely in support of Dr. Rauh! He delivered two of my children which were both high risk pregnancies and he helped us through tremendously stressful situations both times. He has done so much for us to help us get through the pregnancies and much much more! Thank you so much Dr. Rauh!

Thanks for the wonderful support for Dr Rauh, he has taken care of
alot of us women in the community and beyond with his expertise. It goes to show that no matter how BC sees it, this community is family and family sticks together. I wasnt able to make it to the pickiting at noon, because i had to work, but Dr Rauh has my support.
God Bless.

I live out of town so was not able to be there today. but would like to sat all my thoughts and prayers were with Dr. Rauh today and will continue to be until this is resolved. Dr. Rauh delivered 2 of my children and also proformed a hystorecomy on me only 6 weeks ago. I was shocked when I got a call saying I had to find another dr. for my fallow up.
Dr. Rauhs retirement should be a wonderful time for him. It is so sad thing have to go this way. He is a wonderful person and deserves NONE of this. I feel blessed to have had him for a doctor and am praying he will be able to treat the rest of his patients until his scheduled retirement in dec.
shame on Billings Clinic. they are nothing but monsters with no concern for others feelings. They have no idea who they are hurting with all they are doing.
GOD BLESS YOU DR. RAUH. YOU ARE ONE OF A KIND...

One of you mentioned that the clinic supports incompetent Doctors to the end but then this happens with someone like Dr. Raugh.

I agree. Ironically, before Dr. Raugh was a part of this clinic. I was treated at the clinic by Dr Shiotoni for a bladder infection that was in fact toxic shock. Neither Dr. Shiotoni nor Billings clinic would refer me to Dr. Raugh. I went anyway at my own expense based on the influence of a good friend.

I would be dead today if it wasn't for Dr. Raugh. I should have sued the clinic at the time but I didn't.

Dr. Shiotoni was allowed to practice there for years when all that was heard in the community was complaints of him and his incompetency. So I agree!

Also, they sent me to collections over billing that was their error!

i fully support dr rauh and all of you who are picketing for him. i have yet to have an appointment with another doctor who has shown the same knowledge, kindness and concern for their patients as dr rauh has for his.

i think all of us ladies knew his retirement would come someday, although we certainly hoped it wouldn't! let dr rauh retire as he had planned to, not this ridiculous administrative leave billings clinic is subjecting him and his patients to.

Thank you for this information. I think that everyone should "flood" this man with phone calls.

Dr. Rauh is one of a kind. He gave me 2 wonderful little boys! We did fertility treatments for years. Dr. Rauh would meet us on weekends, evenings, whenever I needed him. This is really pathetic. If other hospitals were smart they would get ahold of him and hire him on the spot.

the protest will continue...
Wednesday noon to 1pm - meet on the sidewalk in front of the Deaconess clinic. Bring signs and show your support. If you can't stay for a bit at least drive by and honk your horn!

As I stated in the other post:
A former resident of Miles City, now living in Lewistown, I have only just learned of this, via my mother-in-law who heard about it on NPR in Bozeman.

I truly wish I had heard about this support protest sooner --- I would have driven to Miles City from Lewistown to show my support for one of the finest and honorable physicians I have ever known, both personally and professionally.

Instead, I post my support here.

Sincerely,
Christina Brunkhorst, RN

If anyone would like to express their concerns and opinion to the Administrative Personnel at the Billings Clinic in Billings, this is the contact info:

Dr. Mark Rumans
238-2783
[email protected]

Jim Duncan
657-4677
[email protected]

Linda Olsen
247-6368
[email protected]

This info was given to the women who went to the forum at Billings Clinic on Monday.

I wish I would have known about the protest ahead of time! You can be sure I will be checking this site more often now. I would have gladly driven 120 miles to stand all day to stand up for the best doctor I have ever had. Dr. Rauh delivered my two children and has been my doctor for 23 years. He also saved my life after complications arose immediately following the birth of my daughter. I was able to stay calm despite the terror because I knew my life was in the hands of the most competent OB-GYN I could possibly have. When your or your child's life is on the line, there is no one you would rather have in charge than Dr. Rauh. One of the biggest blessings of living in Eastern Montana as a woman has been knowing that Dr. Rauh was here to care for you and deliver your babies competently with a sincere, caring manner. My prayers go out to the mothers nearly ready to deliver who had also put their trust in Dr. Rauh's hands. Our family will not be seeking medical care at the Billings Clinic until Dr. Rauh is reinstated and then only to see him until he retires. After that, we will most definitely be seeking medical care elsewhere. I hope the Billings Clinic now realizes that you just don't mess with the BEST!

Bump, bump for the abandoned moms! Let's get out there during BHS tomorrow -- anyone with me....?

Watch for petitions in support of Dr Rauh and objecting to the administration of health care disrupting the provision of care for patients at BHS.

If I had known when the protest was supposed to be in advance, I would certainly have been there. I've been a patient of Dr. Rauh's for 20 yrs and can't imagine going to any other. He is a staple for women's health in Miles City. I would not have trusted any other doctor to help me with the birth of my children. After seeing Dr. Rauh, for the first time ever, I finally felt as though someone actually understood what I was saying and didn't just hear the words. I hope this matter gets resolved and fast. I know I would've been very upset if I was just about to have a child and find out the ability to see the doctor I trust was taken away from me. I have made my disgust for BC's decision known to them since I could not be there to protest in person.

We are planning a "glow stick vigil" (instead of candle light - they blow out) Tuesday evening 5/19 from 9pm to 10pm on the Haynes Ave Sidewalk outside of Miles City Billings Clinic. This is an opportunity for those who can't be there during the day to come out and show support.

On Wednesday morning 5/20 starting at 8am - we will start a picketing demonstration on the Haynes Ave Sidewalk outside of the Miles City Billings Clinic. It has been understood that this is the date that the Deaconess board will let Dr Rauh know what action they will take regarding their decision to place him on the current administrative leave....

So - spread the word. See you there.

regarding "glow stick vigil" - if folks can't find glow sticks - bring flashlights.

I am still appalled and have yet to receive a phone call about my scheduled surgery for june 4. i would think it wise to keep your patients in the know... but when i called i got no helpful response.

Still loving Dr Rauh and hoping it all goes for the better!

Still also wishing I knew the "REAL" reasons for the dismissal on probation.

Has anyone contacted the Board of Directors, voicing complaints or asking questions of them.....there is one right here in Miles City, William Coffee of Stockman Bank and Julie Lovell, news anchor on KTVQ channel 2 in Billings...both very hi-profile in the communities!
I think everyone should be writing, emailing AND/or calling the directors.....ya know the sqweeky wheel!

So does anyone know if Billings Clinic made their decision on the 20th?

I sent an email to Jim Duncan, expressing my disgust.

I wanted to call Dr. Rauh this morning to ask him a question about my medication but, nope, couldn't do that. Thank you, Billings Clinic.

I have talked to (complained to) Jim Duncan on more than one occasion yesterday he told me that they don't have a time-line and they have no idea where the 20th was coming from.

I got a call from someone in patient relations at the Billings Clinic who wanted to help me schedule my procedure. I said thanks, but no thanks. I should have asked if they were going to try to schedule me with someone in Billings but I am not feeling too perky today and was bit short. Sigh.

Yes, Amorette, you can bet they would schedule your procedure in Billings. Dr. Rauh's patients received a form letter today saying they would facilitate transfering their care to BC's OB/GYN docs or to Dr. Gallo or Dr. Grantham. However, to their credit, they DID say they would facilitate transfer to someone outside the BC system as well. How big of them! They will still need a miracle-worker in the PR Dept.!

They need less accountants and business people and more doctors who care about patients. My temper is a bit short with them for lots of reasons. The latest reason is the bill for $101 for a ten minute walk-in visit in whic the doctor said that the previous BC doctor I saw a week earlier was nortorious for prescribing very expensive medications (I had an allergic reaction to it) and was wrong in what he prescribed and I didn't need anything! Yep...$101 to tell me another of their doctors didn't know what he was doing!

Billings Clinic is lying, saying they don't know where the date of the 20th came from. Management here at the clinic in Miles City told numerous people that we would know more on the 20th. Jim Duncan and Mark Rumans were told that we were being told by management at the clinic here, that the 20th would be a date we all would know more. They know exactly where people got the idea of the 20th, from the clinic here. They are trying to save themselves. They are just trying to cover their you know whats!!

I was wondering about the confusion on the date....interesting. Several people have asked me what ended up happening, but I sure don't have a clue. Anyone know if there is any news....?

From what I've heard from several sources Billing Clinic is up to it's butt in alligators. They are losing staff in Billings. According to one ex-employee he was leaving because he didn't want his name and reputation ruined by being associated with BC. Money was also a factor in that he said they can't keep spending the way they do when they're already so far in debt.

What is going on in Miles City is unfortunately just the tip of the iceberg in what's going on at Billings Clinic.

Dr Rauh has been my doctor for over 18 years. I will speak for this corner of Northeast Montana and the Scobey area. Dr Rauh has many patients from this area and we exclusively trust him and his judgement with our health and the procedures we will do. He could have practice anywhere is wanted...but he chose us! We are certainly the blessed women having had him all these years as 'our' doctor. Billings Clinic can do whatever they want, but so can we! I read a post that said 'everyone' received letters. NOT SO...just this last Friday 5/22/2009 did I receive a letter from Billings Clinic telling me he was on leave. I have never received a letter that stated Dr Rauh was going to leave us the end of the year. AND YES, I have been seeing him on a very regular basis. Dr Rauh is the only doctor at this time I trust. It isn't just the southeastern part of Montana that Dr has been an asset to, but the northeastern part of Montana also. I for one, will not be going to Billings or supporting Billings Clinic(s) any more than I have to from now on. This is the 2nd doctor I have seen them railroad away. It's my health and I'll choose Holy Rosary or some other town. The drive is already there, so the doctor is my #1 reason for travel. This whole situation just makes me sick. That Billings Clinic thinks that they can treat an outstanding medical doctor the way they are.

Dr Rauh, know that we your patients know who and what you are and what you stand for.

Billings Clinic---give us back OUR DOCTOR for the few months we have left to see him!!!

Connie D

Connie --- AMEN i needed to get some stuff done with him and have it scheduled already but who knows if i will ever get to fill my needs with him.

I did get a phone call that asked if i wanted to go to someone else or hold out.. what ever that means. but that he wasnt coming back this week (may 25-30).

Interesting way to put it, tater. Does that mean there is a glimmer of hope?

All I have to say is the women of MC sure take there gynecology seriously. There is more support here than in a steel jock strap.

Rauh is probably the only man in town who treats a woman's under region with the upmost respect. to him, I say, My uterus thanks you Doc.

Rauh is probably the only man in town who treats a woman's under region with the upmost respect. to him, I say, My uterus thanks you Doc.

Um, awkward.

"Upmost?" Perhaps a Freudian slip?

i was just trying to lighten things up in here. my grammer isn't always the greatest. i support rauh but why so serious all the time.

my guess, is bcmc is going to keep stringing everyone along, rauh is going to consider this early retirement & unfortunately we'll all have to move on.

[This message has been edited by Samantha (5/28/2009)]

[This message has been edited by Samantha (5/28/2009)]

Whether he decides to voluntarily retired sooner or not, Billings Clinic is holdiing the community hostage with these practices. If they succeed this time, it reinforces their belief that they can treat people this way.

For some I don't think you have the slightest clue as to what Dr. Rauh has really done for so many women. If it weren't for him, I wouldn't have my son. I had a high risk pregnancy that landed me inn the hospital for the majority of the pregnancy. He has also helped me through some difficult times and performed a few major surgeries. When you become so comfortable with a dr. that you completely entrust him with your life it's huge.

If Dr. Rauh wouldn't have been in Miles City when I was going through my pregnancy I would have had no choice in the matter and would have been sent to Billings for the duration. It isn't realistic to be forced to do that when you have a 5 year old and a husband that works out of town. Our daughter was shuffled around but she was at least able to come to the hospital to visit me. Without an actual OB/GYN in MC high risk patients won't have a choice. If you're lucky enough to have a smooth, uneventful pregnancy that's great.

BCMS has a real problem with putting money and politics ahead of patient care. I know this first hand and it doesn't have anything to do with Dr. Rauh being on leave. The Clinic's quote in the paper stated that they are only looking out for the best interest of quality patient care, however, you can't have quality patient care unless you actually involve the patient. They have pulled some nasty things recently with me which I don't think they really want me to start telling everyone about. The administrationn there is to worried about politics and not about the patients. Granted it is businness, however, it is the business of taking care of patients.

We all knew Dr. Rauh was going to retire. He's been telling us for 7 years that he was going to retire in 5 years. But the 5 years kept passing by. He's the kind of doctor that he is because he still gives a damn about his patients. He stands up against the administration when it comes to the best interest of his patients. These days it is rare that we actually find a doctor who takes the time with their patients and doesn't try to ramrod them through in a 7 minute appt. and then have to make several follow-up appointments so the clinic can make more money.

The clinic may be approaching things in an inappropriate way and it's going to come back around and bite them. I know MANY people who won't go back to DCMC even though they really don't want to go to HRHC either. But they'll go to HRHC because they don't believe in the way DCMC handles themselves. The clinic used to care about their patients when they first opened, now it's just business with no personal care.

Further proof of the idiocy of the Billings Clinic administration: Their first goal in patient care is funneling patients to Billings. So, what do they want those patients to do when they get there? NOT stay at the good old Cherry Tree Inn, so convenient to medical facilities. They want to buy the Cherry Tree, tear it down and put in a parking lot.

How dumb is that? Get patients here but don't give patients a decent place to stay?

The stupidity burns.

I have gotten the feeling from Jim Duncan that he really doesn't know the lengths patients have to travel to see a physcian on our end of the state. He just thinks that 2 hours by interstate isn't that bad. He doesn't realize that people don't start their journey at Miles City. It is 6 miles on a dirt road followed by 26 miles on a gravel county road followed by 124 miles of two lane highway (with very little shoulder). THEN it is 138 miles of interstate. Let's not forget that we have to turn around and drive it back again.

That's why I like being a patient of Dr. Rauh's. He may be running behind because of another woman delivering her baby, but he doesn't end his day at 5pm! He sees his patients that have made the long trip to see him. Billings Clinic doesn't want to pay their employees to stay past 5pm even if there are people that are waiting to be seen. Dr. Rauh can't very well see them if he doesn't have any staff there, can he???? I have been thankful that I have never had to go home without having an appointment. He understands that it is a long drive and takes a lot of time to get to get to his office. And, he knows that IT IS A BIG DEAL for patients like me to have to reschedule for another day.

[This message has been edited by JJC (5/28/2009)]

I think maybe we should lighten up on Jim Duncan a bit here. He is the chief fundraiser for Deaconess. He does not set or enforce policy. His tireless work has helped Deaconess to become a major treatment center in this part of the country, no doubt saving the lives of people you know at sometime in the past, or quite possibly sometime in the future. I understand the anger directed towards Deaconess, but it should be directed at those that set policy, not a former Miles Citian just because he gets a paycheck from Deaconess. I am certain that if any part of this problem was under his control, Jim would have jumped thru hoops to resolve this issue.
More than one member of my family has been under the knife of Dr Rauh, so I have the utmost respect for his skills. My mother could have had her surgery done anywhere in this country, by any surgeon, and she chose Dr Rauh in Miles City. That speaks volumes to me.
I understand he was going to retire reasonably soon anyway, so is the anger because you were all forced to move your decision process up a few months? I know that womens issues will never be understood very well by most men, not because we don't care, but because we have different issues. Are you expecting Deaconess to move another very well qualified, kind and compassionate gyn to Miles City? That sounds reasonable to me, but where does one find another doctor with the same skill set as Dr Rauh, that is willing to move to Miles City? That I expect is no small task. What happened before Dr Rauh became your physician? Were you traveling to Billings for treatment? Or was there another physician here that just wasn't quite as skilled, in your opinion, as Dr Rauh? Is travel the bigger issue? Is it their apparent lack of communication with you? Maybe it's all of the above. Would any of this ever been an issue if Dr Rauh had quietly retired in November, without the suspension he is apparently dealing with now? Were you just blindsided by the suspension? Please know that I am just trying to understand the situation better. I am in no way trying to piss off all the women of Eastern Montana. I have fought my share of battles with the medical profession, both here in Bozeman, and in Seattle. But if every woman in Eastern Montana refuses to deal with Deaconess ever again, what is their incentive to even address this problem? Has anything been accomplished if you needed to find another caregiver in a few months anyway? Maybe one that is hundreds of miles away? Maybe your anger is 100% justified, and you don't expect it to change anything? Sometimes we just need to be angry. I don't know. Again, I am not judging at all, just trying to understand the rational behind the anger.
My own doctor here in Bozeman just retired a few weeks ago, and I too was a little stressed out about having to "train" another doctor. I got lucky, as his replacement is a young guy, under 40 certainly, that I respect and trust. He takes the time to listen to me, and I feel comfortable under his care. I sincerely hope that the women of Eastern Montana have the same good fortune I did in finding a new physician. A physician that they trust and respect as much as they obviously trusted and respected Dr Rauh. I truly mean that.

This has NEVER been an issue of mistreatment or maltreatment of a patient. The real issue is the mistreatment and maltreatment of Dr. Rauh! It is not appropriate to treat a physician of such high personal and moral integrity with superior knowledge and technical skills as though he were a worm on your fishing hook! Perhaps respect, fairness, rationality should become a BC policy.

The real issue is money. It is the desire of BC to have all patients transferred/referred to Billings even though procedures can be safely performed here. That means the fees for care are paid to Billings instead of supporting our local facility. Extrapolate that to know what that means for Miles City as a community!

The real issue is non-communication with patients who are in on-going treatments or who are pregnant and due to deliver soon or at least before Dr. Rauh's retirement.

The real issue is that the substitute docs have not been on par with Dr. Rauh.

Pick an issue. They are all valid. You can't blame Jim Duncan. He is president of the foundation. He will have a big public relations problem, however, as donations will no doubt drop off significantly - for a while. They all pretend to understand the distance to travel, but no one can truly comprehend travel conditions in eastern Montana until they have been on a ranch 70 miles from the nearest highway in muddy weather or a blizzard.

Th-this is v-very interesting. P-P-plese t-tell m-me more.

How dumb is that? Get patients here but don't give patients a decent place to stay?

The stupidity burns.

You act as though the Cherry Tree Inn is the only place to stay in the immediate vicinity, Amorette.

Netherton -- if you don't like or agree with a thread, or are just uncomfortable with it, get off of it. Speaking only for myself, of course, your departure from this particular thread would be most welcome.

100 POSTS! WOO-HOO-WOO-HOO-HOO!!!

Best wishes to Dr. Rauh and all of the protestors...I hope this sitch ends-up peacefully resolved and to everyone's satisfaction.

...that's a lot to hope for, though.

I think Amorette was upset over the Cherry Tree Inn because they and the Hilltop Inn both provide "medical" rates for people who have to stay there due to hospitalization whether it be family, or if they have to stay there over a period of time for physical therapy for example. I know when my daughter was there last month my bill was a lot less for 4 nights then it would have been if I would have had to stay at a different hotel. My last night there I was offered the Ronald McDonald House but that is only available to parents of pediatric patients.

Has anyone talked to Dr. Rauh, what is his opinion of all this. I support the support for Dr. Rauh I just wonder what he thinks.

I have a dumb question and maybe it has already been answered somewhere in this massive thread...what was everyone planning to do when Dr. Rauh retired anyway this year?

There is difference between being told you have a year to change physicians and getting notified ten days before your due date. Or, in my case, being told two days before an appointment that I could make an appointment with another physician who was not actually qualified to perform the surgery I needed. Or being told, yes, you will have surgery next month, but you'll have no clue WHO is going to perform the surgery.

We went from having months to see about a new doctor to having minutes. I also assumed a new, qualified doctor would be recruited, but so far, that hasn't happened.

I gather you are a big fan of the Billings Clinic but put yourself in the position of having your doctor taken away days before you are due to deliver twins or have surgery and tell me we shouldn't be upset.

My doctor, Dr. Castles, with the west end clinic in Billings had me see both her and another doctor that is with her practice for my last month just on the off chance that she wouldn't be able to be there for the delivery of both of my kids. I am not saying that the clinic here handled things well at all, I was just wondering what everyone was planning to do when he retired anyway. I am not pleased with the fact that I can no longer get my children into the clinic to see Dr. Gallo here because of all the OB patients that she has now...so this sucks for everyone not just the people who were with Dr. Rauh, those of us who have other doctors (especially doctors for our children) have been adversely affected by this as well. I think I will be taking them to my doctor in Billings now that they don't have to go as often, it is easier than trying to get into the clinic here.

Netherton -- if you don't like or agree with a thread, or are just uncomfortable with it, get off of it. Speaking only for myself, of course, your departure from this particular thread would be most welcome.

Jay - Bob's post spoke to the ridiculousness of having so many simultaneous threads that address the exact same thing. That's why he posted the same thread multiple times in "different" threads. Ease down.

I fully supposrt him in ever way, but I too am wondering if anyone has seen or spoke to Rauh himself. I know that I don't live in MC so my chances of running into him are very slim.

I know that I was to have surgery with him today and then got a call this afternoon to see how I was doing and to see if I needed anything... HA! WELL YES I DO NEED SOMETHING... the surgery! NOPE never got it or a phone call that told me that he wasnt back yet and that I would have to cancel it. HOWEVER I also never got a phone call from HR telling me when to be there for it either.. .but here is my ? if I had showed up.. WHO IN THE HELL would have been doing my surgery????? Just some fill in? Cuz by the sounds of it I was still scheduled!

JUST pondering here ....

I also know that when I was pregnant 8 years ago I had a dr that was fired for writting her own drug perscriptions.. and I also know that when I was called to be informed of NEEDING a new doctor I was also informed of WHY i needed a new one... yes I will give the Sidney Hospital that much credit! They at least had the descency to let their customers know WHY they no longer had their doctor available to them.

YES i realize he was going to retire and cootos to Rauh for all his long hours, years and expertise! For that I commend him! I will just have to make the decision to find a new Dr. and get to know them as well as I did him before I will even consider letting them do my major surgery.

You know I've been reading these blogs since the the news of Dr. Rauh's leave leaked to the public and as a patient I was very devastated also. Not just because I was losing my doctor in the middle of several surgies, but also because of the injustice Billings Clinic has done to Dr. Rauh.
Listen to yourselves - people are angry because they have to see a different doctor, people are angry because the other patients are playing havoc with the schedule of the doctor they are used to seeing, people are aggravated because there are too many threads about Dr. Rauh, people are feeling the need to inquire why all of his patients are upset about his suspension, insinuating stupidity in all of this.
Guess what - his leave is a big deal! It's a big deal to his patients who are waiting to deliver and those who were scheduled for surgeries or even regular appointments and whether people know it or not it's a big deal to the entire community, male or female. But the bigger picture here isn't our inconveniences, but what Billings Clinic has taken away from a doctor that gave his all for thirtysome years to his patients and his community. Put yourselves in his place and have some empathy.
Those of you who don't understand what it's like for a woman to lose her ob/gyn (mostly men I've noticed) have some compassion for your wives, girlfriends, mothers, daughters and friends.
Billings Clinic walked on a man of integrity and showed little respect for him or any of his patients in the way they dealt and continue to deal with the whole matter. Caring about one another, empathizing with eachother and trying to understand eachother's view point is how families, communities and towns survive. Show some respect for eachother, the good doctor, and support the threads and let Billings Clinic know that as a community they aren't going to walk on Miles City. United we stand, divided we fall.

i know i am very disappointed in how he has been treated. anyone with that many years who is looking to retire in peace deserves to do just that after many long and hard years of community service. unfortunatly i doubt that he will look back and think "what a great retirement day i had"!

so i have heard rumor he is opening his own practice again... anyone know?

There was a story in today's Billings Gazette that said many doctors are required to sign a non-compete agreement as a condition of employment at a hospital or clinic. If that doctor leaves the clinic/hospital the non-compete clause forbids them from practicing medicine in the same community. Lame?

David:

Lame and probably unenforceable in a right to work state such as Montana.

I was told he is going over to holy rosary... And will be practicing for many more years to come!

Read the whole article. It's being challenged as unconstitutional. I find it amazing how many articles the Gazette is running about Billings Clinic lately. They are all trying to make Billings Clinic sound like some kind of struggling victim. It's disturbing to me. How about some real articles with the truth about what is going on at Billings Clinic?

Montana is not a right to work State. It failed here, but passed in most surrounding states, like Idaho and Wyoming.

I very much doubt Dr. Rauh would open a private practice at this stage of his career. FAR too expensive and too short a time to recoup. However, I do hope he goes to HRH although I'm not holding my breath. He may be enjoying retirement too much!

If he doesn't go to HRH, I hope they succeed in recruiting a permanent ob/gyn. Kind of embarrassing to be a Catholic hospital with no ob. The temp is only for deliveries so those of us with "gyn" issues just have to live with them.

Pity my poor husband.