Sandy Martin, chair of the Eureka Springs Hospital Commission, is scheduled to meet privately with a representative of the Mercy healthcare system to discuss a potential proposal for Mercy to take over management of Eureka Springs Hospital.

Eureka Springs City Council member Susane Gruning, who had formally requested to attend the meeting, will not be permitted to do so.

Martin confirmed by email on Wednesday, April 16, that she will meet with Tom Guhr, the administrator at Mercy hospital in Berryville at 1:30 p.m. Friday, April 18.

Martin had told the Eureka Springs City Council at its regular meeting on Monday, April 14, that she was aware of Mercy’s interest in managing the local hospital.

Council member David Avanzino said at the April 14 meeting that he had received copies of emails from Guhr and Mercy vice president of patient services Jason Wildeman indicating the company’s interest in Eureka Springs Hospital.

Emails obtained by the Times-Echo through an open records request show that Martin emailed Wildeman on Monday, April 14, introducing herself and writing: “The reason for my email is exploratory. Do you think there is any interest in Mercy managing the Eureka Springs Hospital? I’ve been asked to explore this by our city council.”

The following day, in an email to Wildeman and Guhr, Martin wrote that she would be in Berryville on Friday for a meeting of the Carroll County Airport Commission.

“Would you have some time for me to drop by after about 1:30 p.m.?” Martin asked.

Guhr replied to say he would be available at that time.

At the hospital commission’s most recent workshop, on April 7, Martin said she had not contacted Mercy at that time.

“… They’re shrinking their services, so I think it’s going to be the same thing,” Martin said at the workshop. “But, we’re doing due diligence.”

On Tuesday, April 15, Gruning emailed Mayor Butch Berry regarding the meeting with Mercy.

“I understand there is an upcoming meeting with Jason Welderman from Mercy hospital regarding the potential management which I am an advocate if it makes sense,” Gruning wrote. “Given the significance of this matter to our community and the ongoing concerns about the hospital’s operations, I would like to respectfully request to attend the meeting in my capacity as a city council representative.

“My intention is simply to observe and stay informed so I can better represent the interests of our constituents and help ensure that the needs of our residents are clearly understood throughout this process. I fully respect any protocols in place and am happy to participate as a listener, unless otherwise invited to contribute.”

Martin said by email on Wednesday, April 16, that Gruning “will not be attending.”

Berry responded to Gruning’s request on Wednesday, writing: “Susan, this is not a public meeting. It is only between the Chairman and Mercy.

“When this comes before the Hospital Commission the council will be informed and May attend those public meetings as may any citizen. Please remember that council members are legislative body and are limited to state statues. I certainly understand you wanting to attend to be able to represent the public. However, I am believe that we all , including myself will be notified of any meeting which the commission is held to discuss the status of Mercy Hospital.”

Gruning said by phone Wednesday afternoon that she was “not too happy” with Berry’s response.

“I don’t know why they’re being so resistant ….” she said. “Why wouldn’t you say: ‘You are more than welcome to come?’ If you’re going to sit and listen, why wouldn’t you be welcomed?”

Longtime local physician Dr. John House has submitted a proposal for his company to assume management of the hospital and Martin said at the April 14 city council meeting that the commission will discuss that proposal with House at the commission’s next regular meeting on Monday, April 21.

The hospital commission also has been conducting a search for a new chief executive officer.

Berry told council members at the April 14 meeting that any management agreement approved by the hospital commission also would need approval from the council.

The city council and hospital commission held a joint workshop on April 1, but Gruning said she believes that the council “is not really being heard.

“However,” she said, “we have a lot of citizens that want to be heard and represented so that we can have a better hospital. And In our meetings, I feel like our hospital deserves to have every aspect looked at.”