To the editor:
The greeters of Fairview Hospital have been terminated. They will be allowed to work a few more weeks, at which time they will receive severance pay and be shown the door.
For those who are not familiar with these good folks, they are the welcoming faces you see when you walk through the main entrance of Fairview Hospital. Typically, you will hear a cheery “hello,” followed by an inquiry as to your purpose for visiting the hospital that day—for a blood test or X-ray? Visiting a patient? Need help with insurance services? Looking for the ER? They will hand you a visitor’s pass and direct you to where you need to go. If you need assistance—a wheelchair, an arm to lean on, or a smile—no problem.
These employees have been on the front line of Fairview for years, when they were hired to help the hospital navigate the pandemic. They provide succor to those in need of support—a trip to the hospital typically entails some stress, regardless of the situation. The greeters are there to assuage that stress, and they are a beloved part of the Fairview family because of their vast knowledge of the hospital, kindness, compassion, and good humor.
Since its acquisition by Berkshire Health Systems, many of the changes to Fairview have been positive. The hospital is being remodeled, an MRI machine is coming, and needed updates and refreshes are being made. The downside? The warmth and intimacy that is treasured by our patients is being phased out in the name of progress. Many of the changes can be directly attributed to the hospital being absorbed by the larger and more homogenous entity. But in the case of the greeters, this is not the case.
Responsibility for the decision to fire the greeters was taken by the head of the hospital, Anthony Scibelli. Many justifications for the action were made: more security cameras, more actual security officers being hired, less need to monitor visitors—the list goes on. Realistically, our security guards are busy in other parts of the hospital and will not make assisting patients in the front lobby their priority. And with a huge remodel in the works, patients and visitors will need help navigating the hospital more than ever.
The greeters’ salaries do not amount to much, and some depend on the job as a vital part of their livelihoods. To them, the loss of their jobs is a very big deal. It should be to the southern Berkshire community too. Consider this a shout-out to all of those who feel strongly about retaining the warm and welcoming feel of our hospital—please reach out to Mr. Scibelli (contact information is below) to let him know your thoughts about his decision.
Ironically, if you visit Berkshire Medical Center in Pittsfield, the first friendly face you encounter will be that of a greeter.
Contact Anthony Scibelli, vice president of Fairview Hospital:
ascibelli@BHS1.org
(413) 528-8600
Kimberley Skorzanka
Sheffield
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