|
Alexander F. DeLuca, M.D., FASAM [ Doctor DeLuca’s Addiction
Website ] |
7/13/2000
TO: Sigurd
Ackerman, M.D., President and CEO
Wendy Goldstein, COO
1000 10th Avenue
St. Luke’s/Roosevelt
Hospital Center
New York, NY 10019
CC: Stephen
Reibel, M.D., Acting Chair, Department of Psychiatry
David Engle, Esq., General
Counsel
Dear
Sirs and Madam:
Dr. Reibel has requested that I submit my resignation
as Chief and Medical Director of the Smithers Addiction Treatment and Research
Center and as Head of the Division of Substance Abuse Services of the
Department of Psychiatry, St. Luke’s/Roosevelt Hospital Center, a position I
have held successfully for the past two years. While the basic reasons for his
request have not been entirely explained to me, it appears that the request is
founded on two purported facts, neither of which is correct.
1)
That I changed the Smithers program without notifying
my superiors, and
2)
That I granted an unauthorized interview to Maia
Szalavitz who wrote an article that appeared in the July 10th, 2000
edition of New York Magazine.
Both of these are incorrect. I did report the requested
interview to the Administration and received permission. I have not changed the
program, except as reported to my superiors in writing over the past several
years, and in weekly meetings with the acting Chair of the Department of
Psychiatry and the senior administrator of that Department, Elizabeth Moore. In
fact, as the Hospital Administration is well aware, the Smithers Addiction
Treatment and Research Center has been the recipient of several major federal
grants including funding to study the effect of Group Motivational
Interviewing, a specifically non-abstinence-oriented therapy. The Department
and the Hospital approved of these grants and they have accepted, as far as I
know, the funds flowing to the Hospital from these studies.
In accordance with Dr. Reibel’s request, I herewith am
submitting my resignation as Chief and Medical Director of the Smithers
Addiction Treatment and Research Center effective immediately. I will commence
over the next several weeks, in accordance with my professional
responsibilities, an orderly transition as regards patient care and my duties
to my staff.
In this interim period, I have asked my Attorney, John
J. Stanton, to discuss with your General Counsel this entire situation. I
would, of course, be happy to discuss this matter with Ms. Goldstein and Dr.
Ackerman should they wish that.
Sincerely,
Alexander F. DeLuca, M.D.