The Virginian-Pilot
                             THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT 
              Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: Sunday, January 8, 1995                TAG: 9501070021
SECTION: COMMENTARY               PAGE: J4   EDITION: FINAL 
TYPE: Letter 
                                             LENGTH: Short :   19 lines

HIRED DOCS

When I read that Sentara Health System had acquired seven local practices, comprising 63 physicians, the first thing that came to mind was a phrase from the old song ``Sixteen Tons'': ``I owe my soul to the company store.''

Good luck to the physicians involved. They may need it.

SHIRLEY H. ZIEGELBEIN

Virginia Beach, Jan. 1, 1995 by CNB