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St. Louis Post-Dispatch

Lee Enterprises

Friday, May 16, 2008 5:47 PM CDT
'Dr. Dave' to return to Neoga
Padgett's two-year non-compete time is over next week

By NATHANIEL WEST, Staff Writer
nwest@jg-tc.com

NEOGA — During a civil trial a year ago, plaintiff David Padgett vowed to serve as a physician assistant again in his adopted hometown of Neoga — even if he lost his lawsuit against Sarah Bush Lincoln Health Center.

A judge eventually ruled on the side of SBLHC, and upheld the provision in Padgett’s contract forbidding him from working near the Coles County hospital for at least two years following his termination from the SBLHC clinic in Neoga.

But that moratorium ends this month, and Padgett looks to make good on his word: He is scheduled to take up his practice again in Neoga next week, this time at the Marshall Clinic’s facility there.

“It will be like he never left, and he’ll have even more patients,” said Cyndi Thompson, a rural Mattoon resident who helped spearhead protests against SBLHC after Padgett’s dismissal was announced in late 2005.

His employment with SBLHC officially ended in May 2006. No official explanation was ever provided for his firing, which was met with picket lines, petition drives and an aggressive letter-writing campaign by residents throughout the Neoga area and elsewhere.

Padgett, known to many of his patients as “Dr. Dave,” sued the hospital in an attempt to reverse the non-competition clause in his contract. Following a bench trial in May 2007, Judge Steven Garst in June 2007 issued a verdict in favor of SBLHC.

Since September 2007, Padgett has been employed by the Effingham-based Marshall Clinic, and he currently works out of its Altamont facility, said Debra Wiedman, office manager.

Padgett confirmed via e-mail that he starts Wednesday as a physician assistant for the Marshall Clinic branch in Neoga. He said he would answer additional questions at that time.

Wiedman said Dr. Hope Knauer is Padgett’s supervising physician, although Padgett “will probably be there on his own quite a bit of the time.”

It is unclear what Padgett’s Neoga hours will be, at least for the time being.

“I think the people of Neoga will be thrilled to have him back over there,” said Wiedman.

Patty Peterson, spokeswoman for SBLHC, said the hospital considers the non-competition restriction against Padgett no longer to be in effect.

“He is free to do what he’d like to do,” she said. “We wish him well in his practice.”

Contact Nathaniel West at nwest@jg-tc.com or 238-6860.

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Rockin Rotty wrote on May 15, 2008 11:06 PM:

" Welcome Back, Mr. David Padgett!
Rock On!
Glad To Have You Back, Dr. Dave!
~Rotty "

misterdeez wrote on May 16, 2008 6:15 AM:

" Glad that this mess is over. Goes to show that Carle is needed in the area to break up the SBLHC monopoly. Best wishes to Dr. Padgett on his practice in Neoga. "

Beaches wrote on May 16, 2008 7:58 AM:

" I'm glad too - the drive to Altamont was worth it to see Dave, but Neoga is much closer for my family! "

~OpenUnated~ wrote on May 16, 2008 8:21 AM:

" uh...he's not a Dr....even though he thinks he is. "

CaliTurner wrote on May 16, 2008 8:53 AM:

" Yay for my stepdad Dr. Dave! Glad to have you coming back! Love you! "

The Question wrote on May 16, 2008 9:05 AM:

" Sarah Bush Lincoln pokes another stick in her own eye. She's awfully good at that. "

mdongu wrote on May 16, 2008 11:33 AM:

" Just shows us all the sorry level of medical care we receive in the Greater Charleston-Mattoon Metplex. When a hospital can usurp a providers ability to practice, in this underserved area, based soley on 'business dramatics' hits home and shows us what medical practice is all about. What is even more fantastic is that Padgett is just a PA, not even a doctor. And that local residents have to rely, more and more, on adjunct medical staff, like PA's when they are paying for access to a medical doctor. Something is wrong there.

Doctors spend all of that extra time in medical school learning how to diaognose. From a strong basis in science, they are trained to go beyond treatment and actually figure out things based on that training. A PA may have some basic idea, but can't go to that level in. Yet, many local doctors use PA's as if they were real doctors.

Too bad. "

station9 wrote on May 16, 2008 1:30 PM:

" First of all, I'd like to say that "doctor" Dave is no doctor at all, and should never be referred to as one!!
Are you aware of the requirements of a Physician's Assistant? Are you aware that some only require an Associates Degree? A far cry from a physician. The position was created so that one could "assist" a physician. Dave forgets the word "Assistant" in his title.
I once took my Aunt to see him.
After a few minutes of derogatory statements and cursing beyond that of Beelzebub himself - he sent us to Sarah Bush Lincoln Health Center Emergency Department so that she could be cared for properly.
The care we received at Sarah Bush Lincoln Health Center was phenomenal! She was treated with respect and dignity and her Pacemaker was placed within hours of admission! Her son who came in from Flagstaff, AZ was so impressed with her care - he could not believe how wonderful everything was! He commented that it was where technology meets the personal touch.
Personally, I believe weve been blessed not to have this simpleton for the past 2 years! I loath his return, and wish I could do something to prevent it.
"

darby wrote on May 16, 2008 2:56 PM:

" Thank you OpenUnated for once again stating that "Dr. Dave" IS NOT a doctor. He sure likes to think he is and loves it when his patients are oblivious and call him "doctor". As for Sarah Bush and her eyesight, her vision is 20-20, maybe better. She saw a problem and got rid of it before anyone was badly hurt or worse. My hope would be that whoever he sold himself to (and he is a good seller, his own biggest fan)that hired him will have foresight enough to see the same things Sarah did. "

The Question wrote on May 16, 2008 3:49 PM:

" I see Sarah has her shills out today. I wonder how much they're being paid for their testimonials. "

Rotty wrote on May 16, 2008 4:01 PM:

" I see Mr. Barnett has his kool-aid drinking sheep hard at work on this one.
I wonder how many feel-good meetings have already taken place at the Bush?
I think it would be funnier than anything if the other doctors released by Sarah Bush within the last couple of years, were to come back to this area, & swipe a good portion of the hospital's business away.
Sarah has given herself several black-eyes over the last several years, & it will continue to do so, until Mr. Big is removed from power.
Rock On, Dr. Dave! "

Rotty wrote on May 16, 2008 6:06 PM:

" By the way, I forgot to throw in a little kicker.
heeheehee

savesarahbush(dot)net

Oh, the memories of it all.
;) "

Shadow wrote on May 16, 2008 9:09 PM:

" http://cheaters.com/ "

Chad(USAF) wrote on May 16, 2008 11:46 PM:

" station9 wrote: "He commented that it was where technology meets the personal touch."

Wow... maybe he should write slogans for the hospital! That's certainly better than "Sarah Bush: Where good guys meet bad ends" "

karisue wrote on May 17, 2008 8:57 AM:

" Welcome Back Dave Padgett PA !!Re: statements from station9(May 16th 1:30pm)I have never heard Dave say derogatory words or curse and my family has gone to him since 1994.My youngest daughter was 3 yrs old and he was the kindest person we had ever been too.He actually talks to kids and makes them feel at ease by making them feel important.He has gone above and beyond what a lot of Dr's have.He doesn't make you feel rushed and if he doesn't know the answer he will find out or send you to someone who does.He was responsible for my married son finding out he had cancer early and sending him to a specialist.He is now cancer free.I could go on and on.I know my family as well as many others are very happy to have him back.He and his family are a great assest to Neoga. "

city girl wrote on May 17, 2008 10:47 AM:

" Welcome back Dave "

Harry Potter wrote on May 17, 2008 12:27 PM:

" Now come on people. If "Dr" Padgett was as bad a character as station9 tries to make out, why was there such an outpouring of anger over his dismissal? Something is not computing here. I seem to recall dozens of comments in regards to his bedside manner, and not one single comment that comes anywhere near what station9 is claiming. I have to wonder what station9's agenda is? As for me, I have none, because I don't know the man or any of his patients, and maybe he is a terrible PA, but I do know that he must be a very much beloved person, based on the comments made by his patients, after SBLHC unceremoniously dumped him and then did everything in their power to deny him his livelihood. "

Hmmm wrote on May 17, 2008 3:51 PM:

" Hmmm "

Beaches wrote on May 17, 2008 6:45 PM:

" I want to thank Station 9 for part of the posting. One of the things I like best about Dave is his ability to refer patients when they require a specialist, or care that is not appropriate for a clinic/medical office to perform. He has never had a problem referring myself or any family member when a specialist was necessary.

And as for the training that a PA receives, it is shorter than an MD, that is true. But, my children's pediatrician office (SBLHS Pediatrics) have both a Physician Assistant and a Nurse Practitioner on staff, treating patients, and it appears they have little supervision from the MD or DO. SBLHS was happy to let Dave Padgett be a healthcare provider to the Neoga area when they couldn't find an MD or DO to practice there. He has been and will be my healthcare provider, medicine is changing and they way it is administered is changing. What I love, is that we have freedom of choice - there are other healthcare providers in the area that I don't like, I choose Dave Padgett - we each can go where we are happiest with the service. "

medic57 wrote on May 18, 2008 12:19 PM:

" I don't know Dr. Dave, never been to him, probably never will, why? I already have a really great Doctor. Dr. Sherri Howell, she save my life by throwing my butt in the hospital and running tests until they found the problem. My Gal Bladder had quit working. Fell much better now, Thanks DOCTOR. "

~OpenUnateD~ wrote on May 19, 2008 2:29 PM:

" It's not the fact that Dave Padgett is a P.A. that is the problem - its that he actually thinks he's God! Ms. Sarah was very professional by not smearing dirt (and there was plenty) and that's why everyone felt it was in injustice. I've had a couple of dealings with the man - 1. He told a young family that thier daughter had lukemia! Can you imagine the scare?!?!? He sent them to St. Louis where - whattya know - not even close to lukemia! 2. His cursing while in the company of children just put a real bad taste in my mouth.
* And hey Shadow - what did you mean when you posted www.cheaters.com????
Wake up people - your golden boy is tarnished!! "

medic57 wrote on May 19, 2008 10:44 PM:

" OpenUnateD--- What do you expect from an ex Navy Seal, a really good bedside manner? You want a good professional Doctor, great manners and really great medical expertise, go see Dr. Howell at the Neoga Clinic. "

smileyone wrote on Oct 6, 2008 8:43 AM:

" station9,
can't you see the bright side of this? Dave was smart enough to realize he isn't a doctor! He sent your aunt to the hospital to be cared for properly immediately! I am a nurse and let me tell you, there are many nurses who work around the medical field directly so much, they are nearly as good as diagnosing as doctors! I have seen some excellent PA's and I would rank Dave right up there! He is an above intelligent man! "