Columbus County Community Chat

By NICOLE CARTRETTE
Staff Writer

The Columbus County Fire and Rescue Association is recommending that an emergency room physician at Columbus Regional Healthcare be appointed the county medical director.

It is unclear if Dr. David Phillips will take the position if an offer is made or what the offer may be. Phillips could not be reached at Columbus Regional Friday afternoon. An employee in the emergency room said he would not be available until next week.

The Columbus County Board of Commissioners has not had any open discussion on the medical director position with the exception of asking that the position be advertised.

In a letter dated Nov. 13, 2007, the president of the Fire and Rescue Association, on behalf of the group, asked the board to consider Dr. David Phillips for the contract edposition.

“Dr. Phillips functions as an emergency room physician at Columbus Regional Healthcare System. He resides in Wilmington, N.C. In talking with Dr. Phillips, he has agreed to carry a pager and cell phone to be easily accessible to county departments.

“In the county’s search for EMS Medical Director, we hope that you would take this recommendation into consideration for this very crucial position.”

According to N.C. Medical Board data, Phillips, 39, has privileges at Columbus Regional and is certified in emergency medicine.

His North Carolina license was issued in October 2003 and he was previously licensed in S.C. and Michigan. He is a 1996 graduate of Wayne State School of Medicine.

The recommendation comes just days before the current medical director’s notice expires on Nov. 27. Dr. Fred Obrecht resigned months after eight of nine volunteer rescue squad chiefs asked the Columbus County Board of Commissioners to terminate Obrecht’s contract. Some complained of a lack of communication and favoritism.

Obrecht, who had been the medical director for eight years and is a physician at Columbus Regional, said he was being targeted for high standards and questioning squads about missed calls.

The N.C. Office of Emergency Services has said if the county is unable to fill the position prior to Obrecht’s last day, the office will work with the county until a new physician takes the position.

Under N.C. statutes the county is required to provide emergency medical (ambulance service) countywide.

The county fulfills that obligation through contract agreements with volunteer squads in exchange for certain tax revenues.

The squads also have the opportunity to bill private insurance, Medicaid and others for the service.

The county paid Obrecht $12,000 a year but has not discussed what a new contract would entail. A separate contract with the hospital for certain nurse liaison and infection control services totaling $25,000 was ended prior to Obrecht’s resignation.

Fire and Rescue Association President Tony Miller is expected to be present at the commissioners meeting tonight.