At precisely two o'clock, the executive boardroom on the tenth floor was filled with twelve members of the hospital board of trustees.
Donald Croft sat at the head of the dark mahogany conference table, his forehead glistening with cold sweat as Michael stood at the front of the room near the digital projector screen.
Board Chairman: Dr. Vance, Mr. Croft called this emergency meeting claiming there was an ethics breach in the emergency department. What is going on here?
Dr. Michael: There was an ethics breach, Mr. Chairman. But it wasn't committed by medical personnel.
Michael hit a button on his laptop, playing the audio recording directly through the boardroom surround-sound speakers.
Donald’s recorded voice echoed loudly through the silent room, explaining how security personnel were instructed to use legal loopholes to physically turn away uninsured patients at the front entrance.
The board members looked at each other in utter shock, several of them gasping as the recording played to the end.
Board Chairman: Donald... is this recording authentic? Did you issue those directives to security staff?
Donald: Mr. Chairman, you must understand the profit margins! Emergency room charity care was eating into our quarterly dividends for the entire district!
Board Member 1: We are a non-profit registered hospital network, Donald! If the federal health department hears this audio, our tax-exempt status will be revoked immediately!
Dr. Michael: Not only that, but this morning, a security guard physically assaulted my father and delayed treatment for my six-year-old niece who had a broken tibia.
Board Chairman: Good Lord... your own family was subjected to this?
Dr. Michael: Yes. And I am presenting two demands to this board today. If both demands are not met by three o'clock, this recording and the entrance security footage will be handed to the press and the state medical board.
Board Chairman: State your demands, Dr. Vance.
Dr. Michael: First, Donald Croft is to be removed as regional administrator immediately, and Officer Miller’s security contract is terminated permanently.
Donald: You can't fire me! I built this network’s financial structure!
Board Chairman: Be quiet, Donald! Dr. Vance, what is your second demand?
Dr. Michael: Second, the hospital will establish a permanent zero-turnaway emergency protocol. Every patient who enters that lobby will receive immediate triage and care, backed by a new community charity endowment fund.
The Board Chairman looked around the table at the other eleven trustees. Every single member raised their hand in unanimous agreement.
Board Chairman: Motion passed unanimously. Donald, pack your office belongings immediately. Security will escort you off the premises.