By Patric Hedlund, TME

On Tuesday, Sept. 28, Clinica Sierra Vista (CSV) got $2 million extra added to its $20 million a year grant from the U.S. government to provide high quality medical services to underserved rural communities such as ours.

As we prepared to go to press, on Wednesday, we received a dry note from CSV: “Effective September 30, Dr. Brent Burket will no longer be a provider at Clinica Sierra Vista’s Frazier Mountain Community Health Center.

For the second time in just eight years, a well-respected family doctor whom the community wanted to continue at the clinic in Lebec has lost his position.

In 2013 Dr. Robert Martinez said the management and he could not agree on the average amount of physician time essential to be allocated for good patient care.

This week, Dr. Brent Burket is saying good-bye, despite the fact that …(please see below to view full stories and photographs)

Photo captions:

Dr. Brent Burket wants to stay, but no contract negotiation, or explanation, was offered by CSV.

Top: In 2013 Dr. Robert Martinez left Clinica’s Lebec clinic reluctantly. Left: In 2021, Dr. Brent Burket did not have his contract renewed, despite his desire to stay. He has been offered a position in Oregon, but would be willing to reconsider if Clinica management opens that door, he said Tuesday.

To see full stories with photos, please purchase a copy of the newspaper at many locations (click this link for a list) throughout the Mountain Communities.

Or, have your newspaper delivered via mail and include internet access. Just call 661-245-3794. Classified ads are FREE to paid subscribers! See front page at www.mountainenterprise.com for details.

The e-Edition is available now with full photos and stories at The Mountain Enterprise e-Edition. Select the 2021-1001 edition.

(subscriber login required)

This is part of the October 1, 2021 online edition of The Mountain Enterprise.

Have an opinion on this matter? We'd like to hear from you.