PORT LUDLOW — Frank Mitchell was getting ready to go out on his 22-foot sailboat March 31 when he felt a pain his chest.
Luckily one of his crew was a retired cardiologist who realized that the 79-year-old mariner was in trouble.
Taken by car to the Jefferson County hospital, Mitchell learned he was having a severe angina attack and was given a choice — go by airlift to Harborview Medical Center in Seattle or travel by road to Harrison Hospital in Bremerton.
He says he was glad he chose the latter.
“I am convinced that Dr. Robert King saved my life,” Mitchell said.
Mitchell was one of 150 Port Ludlow residents who came to the Bay Club Wednesday to hear Scott Bosch, president of Harrison Hospital, and Chief Wayne Kier of Jefferson County Fire District No. 3 (Port Ludlow) address a community forum on healthcare options.
Most were retirees like Mitchell who wanted to know what their choices are when faced with a heart attack, stroke or other medical emergency.
‘Pretty big issue’
“I’m amazed that so many people are here today, or maybe I’m not,” Kier said. “This is a pretty big issue in our community.”
Peggy Schafran of Port Ludlow organized the forum after learning that Bosch is seeking input on long-range plans for Harrison, an independent, nonprofit hospital located in East Bremerton.
She also sent out a questionnaire asking for the top five medical problems Port Ludlow people were concerned about.
