Dear Editor:This letter is in response to Ms. Maggie Allen's correspondence of Dec. 30, 2010 ("Take Me to Lakewood," Letters to the Editor, 12/30/10). It was unfortunate that our Emergency Department was quite busy on Christmas night and she was treated elsewhere. While we strive very hard to quickly see each patient, the most ill of course must be given priority. Nearly 50,000 visits to our department last year, I believe, testifies to the confidence Downey and surrounding community's citizens have in our department and Downey Regional Medical Center. We are extremely proud of the care we provide, and constantly work to improve our services. Our emergency physician staff is well-trained, all board certified, and deals with both minor illnesses and life-threatening diseases 24 hours a day, 365 days a year (yes, including Christmas). Our nursing and support staff are competent, hard working and caring individuals often in the face of great difficulty and emotional stress. I'm proud of the care our hospital and department provide, and we'll continue to care for our population in a caring and competent manner. We are one of the busiest Emergency Departments in Los Angeles County. Paramedics, police and the public depend on us to provide the care they need and we'll continue to do so. -- Richard P. Guess, MD, Medical Director, Emergency Department, Downey Regional Medical Center

********** Published: January 13, 2011 - Volume 9 - Issue 39