Lyon-Martin Health Services, which has provided low cost health care to women and members of the transgender community since 1979, was set to close its doors at the end of business January 27. But the community wouldn't have known anything about it had word not leaked out on Tuesday. After a hastily called meeting that night, clinic officials committed not to close as scheduled. Lyon-Martin's board should be ashamed of itself for the stealthy nature of its decision a few days ago to close suddenly without a transition plan for patients or notifying staff.
Lyon-Martin provides health care to women and transgender people regardless of their ability to pay. The clinic saw 2,300 people in 2009. The board's actions were especially jarring since another local health nonprofit provided a model for successfully managing its own closure less than six months ago.
Last summer, New Leaf: Services for Our Community, a substance abuse and mental health organization that also included programs for seniors, ran out of money and closed. But while people were angry, saddened, and disappointed at New Leaf's closure, at least everyone was given time to prepare for it. Staff made the announcement in late August and the agency remained open for about six weeks until mid-October. Those weeks were spent working with the Department of Public Health to identify other organizations willing and able to step in and take on some of New Leaf's programs and clients. The agency's staff worked with health officials and others to mitigate the harmful effects of closing.
New Leaf gave itself enough time to execute a dissolution plan. Thom Lynch, then the executive director, told us that while it was difficult, he was "really proud of the organization for taking a really hard look at itself and making a tough decision."
At Lyon-Martin, the agency's board threatened to shut down under the cover of darkness. There was no advance warning to the patients. At least one staffer was ordered not to comment and board members, who apparently voted unanimously Monday night to close the clinic, were not talking. Up until Tuesday night, there was no information about the recent developments on Lyon-Martin's website. Board members Lauren Winter, Peter Balon, Kimberly Gillette, Dr. Alison Jacoby, and Patrick Noonan owe the clinic's staff, clients, and donors �" and the community at large �" a thorough explanation of what led to their decision to close so abruptly.
The news release issued by board chair Winter states that the clinic needs to raise at least $250,000 to reduce immediate debt and to continue operating. Additionally, the agency is about $1 million in debt. Why didn't board members publicize this situation months ago, when they could have held fundraisers and examined whether this agency is worth salvaging? Now, the community is left in a "hurry-up-and-wait" situation. To us, the fact that the deficit is so large indicates mismanagement or other budget overruns. That should give the community pause. Lyon-Martin may provide unique services, and we're among the first to acknowledge that health care options for trans people are sorely under-represented in the city, but those 150 people who attended the emergency meeting Tuesday night need to seriously explore alternatives to continue these services.
It is also very apparent that Lyon-Martin's staff was less than honest with us last month when we reported on the resignation of Executive Director Teri McGinnis. While Dr. Dawn Harbatkin acknowledged that Lyon-Martin was experiencing a decrease in funding, there was absolutely no urgency or mention that the clinic might have to close just weeks after we published the story. The truth is that the clinic did not honestly confront the severe financial issues it faced. In the news release, Winter acknowledges that Lyon-Martin has made "painful and drastic" cuts in its staffing and budget in order to keep its doors open. It seems like McGinnis's departure was indeed an effort to save money and Lyon-Martin should have been up-front with the community about that.
Nonprofit organizations have an obligation to be transparent and honestly inform its clients, donors, and supporters. In that regard, Lyon-Martin has failed. Its board should resign immediately.