THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1994, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Friday, July 29, 1994 TAG: 9407270134
SECTION: CHESAPEAKE CLIPPER PAGE: W12D EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY ERIC FEBER, STAFF WRITER
LENGTH: Long : 104 lines
J. Ridgely Porter III says he knows firsthand that the United States has the best health care system in the world.
The newly elected chairman of the Chesapeake Hospital Authority has traveled the world, particularly when he was director and chairman of the board of Virginia International Terminals Inc. from 1985 to 1991.
In his travels, he has visited most of Europe and South America along with China, Turkey, Singapore and parts of Africa, including the Ivory Coast, South Africa and Egypt.
``I know we have the best health care in the world; I was sick in several Third World countries,'' Porter said from his Portsmouth law office. ``I've seen what a tough time people have with health care systems in other countries. They don't have what we have.
``Once I had a head cold in Morocco,'' he added. ``After I saw the Soviet-trained doctor take out this huge needle, big enough for a horse, I left.''
Porter was a member of the hospital authority from 1986 to 1990 and once served as its vice chairman. He rejoined the authority last year at the request of Vice Mayor Arthur Dwyer and Councilman Robert Nance.
``They asked me if I was willing to go back,'' Porter said. ``They said they needed someone from Western Branch represented on the authority.''
Porter was elected the authority's chairman after he was nominated by its former chairman.
``I didn't run for or ask for the office,'' Porter said. ``Bobby (Robert M.) Oman asked me to take the chairmanship.''
Porter will now head the 11-member autonomous board for a one-year term.
The authority, which was established in 1966 by the Virginia General Assembly, manages, operates and controls Chesapeake General Hospital and its subsidiaries. They include the Outer Banks Medical Center; Comfort Care, a home health service; and the upcoming CGH Cancer Treatment Center.
``I believe the hospital authority should make policy and should not interfere in its day-to-day operation,'' Porter said. ``We have good senior management for that, and we have complete confidence in them.''
Porter said Chesapeake General Hospital is a 260-bed facility with an average 75 percent occupancy rate. It uses no city funds and is considered a ``stand alone hospital,'' one that is not part of a system such as Sentara Norfolk General Hospital, for example.
As the new chairman, Porter diagnoses Chesapeake General's fiscal health as sound.
So far, the hospital has made tremendous achievements in Chesapeake, he said, including doubling its size, establishing a birth center and pediatric care, beginning work on its Cancer Treatment Center, creating a second medical building and developing its Outer Banks, N.C., operation.
``We are doing very well,'' he said. ``The hospital is well-managed. It's a successful operation with a lot of good long-range goals.''
Porter said the hospital's long-range goals include:
Increasing its presence in northeastern North Carolina.
Increasing its presence in Western Branch. The hospital plans to develop 69 acres it owns in that part of the city.
Further development of the Chesapeake General Hospital Foundation to increase funds to expand its facilities and services.
``Our mission is to develop off-campus support services, wellness centers, ambulatory care and assisted living facilities,'' he said. ``With our own Lifestyle Fitness Center, we believe we are on the cutting edge of preventive medical care, wellness and fitness services.''
With the health care debate reverberating throughout Washington and the country, Porter naturally sees massive changes ahead.
``There is a changing face in the delivery of health care in this country,'' he said. ``It obviously needs some overhaul.''
Porter said some form of managed health care is on its way. It will either be delivered by the federal government under the Clinton plan or delivered through the private sector or through hospital/doctor-managed care.
One thing Porter does agree with is that all Americans are entitled to some type of health care.
``I'm not an advocate of rationing health care,'' he said. ``Ambulatory care will be the care of the future. And Chesapeake General Hospital needs to become a full-service, integrated health-care delivery system covering all of Chesapeake and northeastern North Carolina.''
When not concerning himself with Chesapeake General Hospital and the challenges of health care in the 21st century, Porter is busy with his own general law practice.
The Western Branch resident was born and raised in Portsmouth. He graduated from the University of Virginia with a degree in history, received his law degree from Washington & Lee University Law School and has been practicing law since 1975. He worked in the law offices of Jerome P. Carr and John R. Porter Jr., his father, before starting his own firm.
Porter and his wife, the former DeLane Williams of Suffolk, have one daughter, 7-year-old Eleanor, who attends Nansemond-Suffolk Academy. The Porters are members of the Trinity Episcopal Church congregation in Portsmouth.
Porter enjoys traveling, quail hunting in Southside Virginia and playing tennis, having been a ranking collegiate tennis player when he was a member of the U.Va. varsity tennis team.
``I've lived in Chesapeake for a quite a while and try to be active in the community,'' Porter said. ``While chairman of the Chesapeake Hospital Authority, we will continue to make the hospital a big source of pride for the city of Chesapeake.'' ILLUSTRATION: Staff photo by MARK MITCHELL
J. Ridgely Porter III will head Chesapeake Hospital Authority's
board for a one-year term.
by CNB