More than half of Mission’s remaining staff neurologists say they are resigning, citing burnout, ‘nausea and fury’
Hospital to rely on telemedicine to provide after-hours critical care for stroke patients in Asheville and WNC
ASHEVILLE WATCHDOG | Reported by ANDREW R. JONES
August 20, 2024
The decline in the number of Mission Hospital neurologists mirrors other widespread decreases at the hospital, including recent losses in its urology and medical oncology programs. // Watchdog photo by Starr Sariego
The following article by Andrew R. Jones appeared in Asheville Watchdog on August 20th, 2024
Three staff neurologists are leaving Mission Hospital by the end of September, potentially leaving only two to provide critical care to hundreds of patients at the Asheville flagship hospital and across western North Carolina, including many who have suffered strokes.
The departing physicians are neurohospitalists, specialists who treat patients in the hospital who are suffering diseases of the brain, spinal cord and nervous system. They cover patients in general admission and in the intensive care unit (ICU) and respond to strokes throughout the hospital. They also provide 13 regional hospitals with telestroke services, remotely consulting on stroke patients while teams at those sites do hands-on work.
There were seven such specialists working fulltime or parttime at Mission as recently as the end of 2023. The decline mirrors other widespread departures from the hospital, including recent losses in its urology and medical oncology programs.
As an Advanced Comprehensive Stroke Center, Mission Hospital in Asheville offers the highest levels of stroke care available in the region. See below for “What to do if you think you are having a stroke.”
Asheville Watchdog interviewed departing physicians, who spoke on condition of anonymity because of concern for their careers or potential retribution. Their departures — triggered by what they describe as an ever-increasing patient load, Mission’s years-long inability to hire more physicians, and pay issues — intensify an exodus from the HCA Healthcare-owned hospital and a program that has been recognized nationally.
“It was just extreme burnout, plain and simple,” one of the neurologists told The Watchdog, adding that the department’s current state “feels like the end of a golden era.”
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Asheville Watchdog is a nonprofit news team producing stories that matter to Asheville and Buncombe County. Andrew R. Jones is a Watchdog investigative reporter. Email arjones@avlwatchdog.org.
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