Training doctors
This letter is in response to the article “Hospital’s residencies at risk; Poor review may end accreditation for Stroger program” (Metro, Nov. 1). I am the chairman of the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology at Mt. Sinai Hospital. Our residency program is fully accredited, having recently been reviewed and granted accreditation for another three-year cycle.
We enjoy a rich and productive collaboration with the Stroger Obstetrics and Gynecology Department wherein the teaching and learning opportunities are beneficial both for their residents and ours. Our residents rotate to Stroger to gain experience and training in gynecology and Stroger residents rotate here at Mt. Sinai Hospital to gain experience and training in obstetrics.
Young physicians must have these high-quality experiences and we feel fortunate that we can offer them due to our relationship with Stroger.
E. Charles Lampley Jr., MD
Chairman
MFM Specialist
Department of OB/GYN
Mt. Sinai Hospital
Chicago
Popcorn worries
It’s absolutely silly for consumers to be afraid of microwave popcorn. Chemicals in buttered-popcorn flavoring have caused illness in a handful of workers, but they are exposed to it for eight hours a day, year-round. That’s why they wear hazardous-materials suits now.
Gold miners use cyanide, a much more serious poison, to isolate precious metal from ore. But that doesn’t make our wedding rings dangerous to wear.
It’s sad that fearing our food has become a distinctly American neurosis. But surely, if we work a little harder, we can find something more realistic to worry about.
David Martosko
Director of Research
Center for Consumer Freedom
Washington
Toy worries
My friends accuse me of being overly idealistic and politically naive in my advanced golden years. This after discussing how disillusioned I am and, yes, fearful about purchasing playthings for my great-grandchild. I wondered whether priorities are mainly in profits and mass production or if ethics and safety even become subjects for analysis.
Martha S. Moss
Northbrook
