Altru president asked to address police shooting of hospital patient
by Timothy Charles Holmseth on July 6, 2016, 11:38 A.M. CST
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| Eric Lunn, MD, president, Altru |
Timothy Charles Holmseth In Re: Public Safety July 6, 2016 Eric Lunn, MD Dr. Lunn, While this correspondence may be an issue for your ethics advisory board; I am submitting it to you due to the potential legal implications. I am an investigative journalist and author conducting an in-depth journalistic investigation into the facts and circumstances surrounding the pursuit and shooting of David James Elliott, which occurred in Grand Forks, North Dakota on February 27-28, 2015. David James Elliott was shot by a University of North Dakota police officer in the Altru Hospital parking lot in front of the Emergency Room in the early morning hours of February 28, 2015. He was immediately taken into the care of Altru where he was treated as a patient. I am contacting you today to address what appears to be an ethical dilemma that finds an Altru patient’s rights in conflict with public safety and the rights of the community. The extensive details and evidence that support my concern are far beyond the scope of this letter.
It is my opinion Altru Health Systems is presently in violation of ethical standards set forth by governing authorities regarding healthcare operations in the United States. It is my opinion there may be larger legal implications regarding the situation that fall under both state and federal law. Altru’s Healthcare Directive states: “Altru Health System recognizes its responsibility to its patients, staff, physicians and the community it serves to conduct patient care and all other operations in an ethical manner based on its values, mission, vision, and strategic plan.” It is my belief and journalistic opinion Altru Health Systems must immediately inform the public about the true facts of the police pursuit, and shooting, that occurred on February 27-28, 2015. I would typically be inclined to provide time frames of next steps planned by my publication. However, due to public safety issues, along with threats/death threats against me, my children, and others, I am forgoing that consideration. Respectfully yours, Cc: UND President Mark Kennedy, Lt. Derik Zimmel, GFPD, Chief Eric Plummer, UNDPD, North Dakota Attorney General Wayne Stenehjem, Attorney Darla Schuman, Patient’s |