By PAULA TRACY, InDepthNH.org
LACONIA – While maintaining Concord Hospital Health System is “strong, stable and growing” patients said they have fired three primary care physicians impacting 6,000 patients.
The hospital confirmed they are looking for new doctors for Concord Hospital Internal Medicine – Laconia, but spokesman Dawn Beers said Concord Hospital is not able to comment on how many providers left, the reason for their departure, and how many patients were impacted.
One patient, who said he spoke to his outgoing physician who is also a friend, said the firing of three doctors at the practice impacts between 5,000 and 6,000 Lakes Region residents who have just lost their primary care doctor or internist and had their appointments summarily cancelled.
“I no longer trust them,” said Al Posnack of Alton, a former patient of Dr. Daniel H. Kallmerten after receiving a note in his online patient portal last Friday that Kallmerten had left and any appointment he had had been cancelled. He said the terminations also includes Dr. Valentin Milchev, and Dr. Gurvinder Singh Bali.
Beers said patients were being notified through the mail and not email.
Concord Hospital merged with LRGHealthcare in 2021 for $30 million after bankruptcy involving its hospitals in Laconia and in Franklin.
Robert Steigmeyer, president and CEO said at the time in a statement to the press that the Lakes Region needs access to local health care “and our intent is to keep services in the community…”
Posnack said he began texting with Dr. Kallmerten and found out that the three physicians were all fired as of Sept. 26 leaving only two physician assistants to handle patient care at the offices at 724 North Main Street, Laconia.
Another practitioner left the practice recently, he said and that it was due to a “toxic” environment.
The hospital issued a press release indicating it is hoping to have a new doctor begin in November and is actively seeking other providers to fill the void.
But Beers said affected patients can contact its Physician Referral Line at (603) 224-7879 or toll-free at (800) 322-2711 to locate another primary care provider who is accepting patients.
“I am pleased to share that our primary care practices have access,” she said.
Posnack said he has not yet received anything in the mail but received word through his online account that indicated to him through his email he had new information to address in the portal.
The press statement read, “we recognize any change in provider personnel can be challenging to our patients…we are committed to ensuring no patient is without the quality care they need and are in the process of evaluating the highest-quality candidates for vacancies…” it reads.
Kallmerten was not immediately available for comment.
Attempts to reach the practice, at 724 North Main Street, were met with a call back that indicated the practice is still open but not taking any new patients at this time.
Posnack said “there is a lot more to the story, but it is clear to see that this is unconscionable for an organization whose job it is to provide medical care for our community.”
