NEMEC: He's a knockout

Health care has become both remarkably complicated and astonishingly expensive. At a time like this we need a member of the Kootenai Health hospital board who is intimately familiar with health care, both locally and nationally. We need someone who is accountable to our community at large, not just a narrow segment. Most of all we need someone who is accessible to every member of this community. Such a person is Neil Nemec.

Thirty years ago I began the practice of neurology in CdA as part of the first wave of medical specialists. Neil has been in practice even longer. Not only is he a respected primary care physician, he has significant business and administrative experience in healthcare over the last two decades. Neil is known by virtually every hospital employee and a significant portion of the general population. He is approachable and not beholden to any political agenda. Thank God, he is not a politician.

Neil will provide us with clear, direct, unambiguous, unequivocal answers to our legitimate concerns and work for our greater benefit. He is not afraid to stake out a position if he feels it is right. He was on the boxing team at Stanford and is not afraid to throw a punch. In one year I look forward to losing the Dr. prefixing my name and the M.D. suffix. At that point I will become a healthcare consumer. At that time I want someone I trust in my corner.

JAMES LEA, M.D.

Coeur d’Alene