How fortunate our community came come together, and with so many generous donations, to create a fabulous medical facility for the island when so many small communities find themselves without a local clinic at all, as they are financially unsustainable.

I was also ‘jabbed in the butt’ by nuns in my youth as your contributor for last week wrote, (“Hackles on high over health care”, Feb. 27, pg. 7). In my case, having Rocky Mountain spotted fever with a mortality rate of 30 percent at the time, the care I received from the nuns most likely saved my life, for which I am very grateful.

Discussion of an event in the far past (who likes to get shots, really?), unrelated to our new center seems uncharitable at best.

Any thinking person has concerns about reproductive health and end of life care, and the new facility continues to provide the same services as before, but also provides additional levels of care previously unavailable, possibly avoiding ferry trips or helicopter rides to care on the mainland. Being a new facility, the experience gets better and better.

If there is something specific about the service provided by the new facility, and you did not participate in the numerous meetings that the writer has a specific issue of concern, why not directly ask the administrator. I have found her to be absolutely accessible, accommodating and well informed.

Having been a full-time island resident for 40 years, I have watched people come to our lovely island, and many find it does not suit them. How lucky we are that we still live in the land of choice, and if you do not like it here, plan B or C is move somewhere else.

My vote of thanks to all the people who made the medically advanced, amazing facility possible, and all the generous private donations that also made it a beautiful work of art, and most important to the people who work there providing quality care for our islanders and visitors.

Robert Ahbel/San Juan Island