MOSES LAKE - Samaritan Hospital terminated three of its clinic physicians last week.

The doctors terminated were Cole Hemmerling, Andrea Carter and Tiffany Friesen.

Samaritan Hospital CEO Andrew Bair declined to provide the reasons for the terminations.

"In most contracts there are clauses for separation without cause and that's what this is," he said.

The terminations have not affected the hospital's capacity for seeing patients and no appointments have been cancelled as a result of the firings, Bair said. Existing physicians have filled in on extra days and the hospital will temporarily bring in more physicians.

"I would consider them respected and honorable physicians," he said. "They have not lost privileges at the hospital per se, they're just not employed at the hospital."

"My family and I have lived in Moses Lake for 14 years and are committed to this community, as I am to my patients," Dr. Hemmerling said in a statement. "In essence the Samaritan clinic and myself are getting a divorce. Divorces, in my experience are always messy. The advice that I give my patients that often go through this terrible time applies. Divorces should really be about the children. The business side of divorce will take care of itself; just agree to work together in the best interest of the children. This applies to my situation in this 'divorce.'

"It should be about the patient. My first thoughts and concerns are for my patients both new and old. I am working hard to reestablish my practice to begin seeing patients and maintain that continuity of care. Samaritan clinic administration has agreed to this philosophy. They have, for benefit of the patients, agreed to continue my access to the patients' electronic records to aid in both this difficult time and in the future if they decide to follow me to my new practice."

Dr. Friesen said she wasn't able to comment on details of her termination.

"I was very shocked and saddened by the events that occurred (at the hospital,)" she said.

The Columbia Basin Herald was unable to reach Dr. Carter.

The hospital is working with the physicians to draft a letter that will be sent to their patients, Bair said. The three physicians are looking into options for continuing to see their local patients, he said.

"We understand that patients are affected by this," said Bair. "The physician-patient relationship is one we would consider very, very important. Some folks would use the word 'sacred' for that. Both the physicians that have parted and the (Samaritan) clinic are concerned with what happens to the patients that are out there ...  we'll be more than willing to accommodate the physicians and the patients to get them back together if the patients so choose."

Bair said concerned patients can call Samaritan during regular business hours at 509-793-9771.