Letters: Remembering the contributions of Sister Mary Maurita Sengelaub

I was saddened to read the news that Sister Mary Maurita Sengelaub, the first nun to serve as CEO of the Catholic Hospital Association and lifelong advocate of healthcare for migrant workers, had passed away at age 101. I felt compelled to share how Sister Maurita impacted my life and how her legacy continues.

I had the honor and privilege to serve as the chief executive for one of the healthcare organizations (2001 to 2018) that Sister Maurita and several other pioneering women from the Leadership Conference of Women Religious founded back in 1969-70. I am truly honored to have had the opportunity to contribute in some small way to her lifelong commitment and service to farmworker and migrant families.

I also had the honor to visit with Sister Maurita in Dearborn, Mich., back in August 2016 and share stories of how her work continued and grew to impact the lives of other underserved communities over the years. Her legacy is profound.

Oscar Gomez
Founder and principal
SoJoGo
San Francisco

The June 3 article “Abortion restrictions spark concern over access to maternal health services” offers a poor correlation, i.e., the takeaway being increased access to abortion clinics leads to better maternal health. This is careless journalism.

The No. 1 recognized and documented factor in health status determination is ZIP code. The article provides no analysis of the relationship between location and maternal health. Critically thinking, what is the maternal health of the populations in ZIP codes where abortion clinics are located? Is it better or worse? A comparative study can be developed around the hypothesis that more-affluent ZIP codes not having abortion clinics have better rates of maternal health and those in less-affluent areas having abortion clinics have poor maternal health. That study would provide better information on the impact that abortion clinics have on maternal health.

Isn’t that the kind of analysis healthcare professionals need—information to inform fact-based decisions that can help improve the health of the communities we serve?

Richard Birkner
Chief operating officer
Liberty (Mo.) Hospital

Regarding the June 17 Breaking Bias column “Closing the leadership gender gap is imperative in an evolving healthcare system,” Ascension’s Anthony Tersigni writes, “Given the change and disruption in healthcare from rising consumerism, regulatory reform and the shift to value-based care, now is the time to seek a more representative mix in healthcare leadership, especially in the C-suite and on the board of directors.”

Promoting meritocracy and diversity at the same time is not an easy goal. Diversity for the sake of diversity can easily devolve into quotas. It is sometimes no more than virtue signaling to be on the side of political correctness. Replacing talent and merit with identity cannot lead to optimal outcomes. The negative consequences can be hidden behind the veil of self-delusional moral high ground couched in the vagueness of “fairness.” It is important to remember the goal and be sure the best people are in position to accomplish the job.

Dr. Allan Dobzyniak
Eastport, Mich.