video of Dr. Lea sharing her story<\/a> on Instagram, hundreds of people left supportive comments, along with a few commenters attempting to play devil\u2019s advocate. Other readers also shared their opinions on Facebook. More than 600 readers chimed in.\u00a0<\/p>\nSign up for our free weekly newsletter for a recap on politics, dining, culture, music and more.<\/p>\n
THANK YOU!<\/p>\n
You’re all set.<\/p>\n
CLOSE\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n
If Banner Health physicians succeed, they will have formed Arizona\u2019s only physicians\u2019 union \u2014 and at the state\u2019s largest private employer, no less. Working with the Union of American Physicians and Dentists, employees nationwide have formed more than 30 bargaining units across more than 100 healthcare settings.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Across the Valley, nearly 270 Banner physicians and other practitioners are eligible to join and vote in the formation of the union: nurse practitioners, physician assistants, family medicine physicians, internal medicine physicians and pediatricians. They are employed at more than 30 physicians\u2019 clinics across the Valley, including in Gilbert, Mesa, Chandler, Queen Creek, Maricopa, Sun City, Buckeye and Peoria.<\/p>\n
Those doctors have until Aug. 26 to vote and mail back their ballots, which officials will count on Sept. 2. Here\u2019s what New Times\u2019 readers had to say:\u00a0<\/p>\n
On Instagram, Ashley agreed that profits hurt care, writing that:\u00a0<\/p>\n
\n\u201cI have worked with the BEST doctors and staff at Banner but C-suite and profits override the care everyone wants to give!!! I hope Banner doctors AND NURSES unionize!\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n
Kathryn agreed. She wrote:\u00a0<\/p>\n
\n\u201cHR has gotten too involved at Banner. The care of patients has gone on the back burner and I agree that they are too in the weeds with peripheral issues. Get back on track, Banner!!!\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n
Kim also has seen the culture at Banner change. She added:\u00a0<\/p>\n
\n\u201cThese problems didn\u2019t exist when Banner was Samaritan Health Systems. Banner leadership has made things too corporate and cold, unlike the warm, inviting atmosphere that was once Samaritan.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n
Yesenia, a travel nurse, said Arizona\u2019s healthcare culture has affected her job. She wrote:\u00a0<\/p>\n
\n\u201cThis why many of us nurses leave Arizona to work as travel nurses elsewhere. No union is perfect but my best contract-turned-job was with Kaiser Permanente Northwest: competitive pay, amazing benefits, an unmatched pension (not even by Mayo Clinic) as well as guaranteed hours! Healthcare practices and costs have been out of hand for too long. We need unions in Arizona!\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n
Damon, a former Banner employee, criticized the company\u2019s profit-first priorities on Instagram:\u00a0<\/p>\n
\n\u201cBanner does not serve the good of the community. Rather, it focuses on maximizing profit over patient safety and care \u2014 all the while using their employees as pawns to drive the organization forward.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n
Another former Banner employee, Jacqueline, agreed:<\/p>\n
\n\u201cAfter 15 years, I left Banner also because we have no voice. Grateful for the years but they need a wake-up call. Look at the turnover rate. The place profits over patients and the providers are at their breaking point.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n
On Instagram, Banner patient Karli said she\u2019s seen doctor turnover firsthand.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\n\u201cI\u2019ve been with Banner for five years. Each of my primary care doctors\/pediatricians\/OB-GYNs\/specialists have left (seven doctors in five years!) and I had to switch to another system to get some continuity of care. Reality sad.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n
Dr. Lea\u2019s former patients at Banner also chimed in. Keshia wrote:\u00a0<\/p>\n
\n\u201cDr. Lea is a phenomenal physician and personable doctor. She took awesome care of me during her time at Banner Gilbert clinic. I was so, so sad to see her leave. Dr. Lea is the type of doctor we as patients need in the medical world.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n
Jamie, another patient of Dr. Lea, thanked her former physician for speaking up:\u00a0<\/p>\n
\n\u201cWow. So proud of you, Dr. Lea, for speaking up! As your former patient and fellow clinician I agree that something has to be done. Banner treats their employees terribly!\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n
Dr. Lea\u2019s patient Ashley was sad she left. Sher wrote:\u00a0<\/p>\n
\nDr. Lea!!!! I have missed you greatly! What a FABULOUS doctor that my husband, my two daughters, and myself all went to for 10 years! I have never had a PCP truly care and listen the way she did! I am so proud of you for speaking up!<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n
Larry also sang Dr. Lea\u2019s praises:\u00a0<\/p>\n
\n\u201cDr. Lea is the best!! I am so sad because she always took all the time to make sure I was at always at my best and if I wasn\u2019t told me what I needed. Banner definitely has no clue what a great doctor looks like. Swallow your pride, administrators. You screwed this one up. Not that you will ever admit it.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n
Do you have a story about working for Banner? Contact the reporter on Signal at 623-295-9472 or by email at morgan.fischer@newtimes.com. <\/p>\n
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