THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT Copyright (c) 1994, Landmark Communications, Inc. DATE: Sunday, July 31, 1994 TAG: 9407290289 SECTION: PORTSMOUTH CURRENTS PAGE: 12 EDITION: FINAL SOURCE: BY ERIC FEBER, STAFF WRITER LENGTH: Long : 103 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.
``I know we have the best health care in the world; I was sick in several Third World countries,'' Porter said from his law office in Downtown Portsmouth. ``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 hospital authority member from 1986 to 1990 and once served as its vice chairman. He rejoined the authority last year at the request of Chesapeake's 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 as 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 one year.
THE AUTHORITY, ESTABLISHED in 1966 by the Virginia General Assembly, manages, operates and controls Chesapeake General Hospital and its subsidiaries.
``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.''
Chesapeake General Hospital is a 260-bed facility with a 75 percent average occupancy rate. It uses no city funds and is considered a ``stand alone hospital,'' one that is not part of a network or chain.
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.''
The hospital's long-range goals, Porter said, include:
Increasing its presence in northeastern North Carolina.
Increasing its presence in Western Branch. The hospital plans to develop 69 acres it owns there.
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 the country, Porter naturally sees massive changes in the delivery of health care.
``There is a changing face in the delivery of health care in this country,'' he said. ``It obviously needs some overhaul. People want more coverage but at 20 percent less the present cost. Whatever happens, Chesapeake General must be prepared for the change.''
Some form of managed health care is on its way, Porter said. 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 and the challenges of health care in the 21st century, Porter is busy with his general law practice.
He 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 is past president of the Portsmouth Bar Association and serves on the Federal Judge Screening and Selection Committee of the Virginia Bar Association. In addition, he serves on the Committee for International Trade of the American Bar Association and is active on the Advisory Council of Junior Achievement of Hampton Roads. He is a member of the Heritage Society of the National Trust for Historic Preservation.
``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: Photo
J. Ridgely Porter III has his law office in Downtown Portsmouth.
KEYWORDS: PROFILE
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