Dear Yankee- Speaking My Mind

Reader Comments

As a physician who treats Lyme disease in children, I appreciate media attention to this public health problem. However, with the eventual loss of Dr. Jones, there will not be a void in physicians who treat pediatric Lyme disease in Connecticut. I know of several highly qualified, board-certified specialists in infectious disease and rheumatology, myself included, who will treat not only the acute infectious complications of the illness, but the noninfectious later symptoms as well. None of these physicians would abandon sick or symptomatic children, regardless of the cause.

Lawrence Zemel, M.D., University of Connecticut School of Medicine, Farmington, CT

Comment from Lucy Barnes on December 26, 2007

Imagine the audacity of a individual who feels it is acceptable to write a letter to Yankee Magazine in order to drum up business for himself and his medical colleagues at the expense of a well known, beloved and successful pediatrician who they have collectively tried to ruin both professionally and financially.

Combine that lunacy with the fact that some of these self-absorbed block heads who declare themselves willing and able to take on this trampled doctor's patients are already connected to a governmental investigation into illegal practices for possible fraud, anti-trust, monopolization and exclusionary conduct related directly to what they claim they are "highly qualified" to do.

My question- Would Larry Zemel (University of Connecticut School of Medicine, Farmington, CT) and his hand-picked cronies be more suited to be poster boys for the arrogant, the pompous or the narcissistic community?

One thing for certain- They shouldn't be allowed to treat "sick or symptomatic children" with acute infections or the aftermath that follows. That is the last thing the Lyme disease community needs right now.

http://www.yankeemagazine.com/issues/2007-11/moreyankee/dearyankee