As Tod goes, so goes ...?

Last July, a gracious letter appeared on this page from James A. Mumford, administrator of Tod Children's Hospital, thanking individuals, businesses, organizations and volunteers for their contributions to the success of the hospital's annual fund drive. It had exceeded 1 million for the first time, and he thanked "the many people who have reached into their pockets and contributed from their hearts on behalf of our most precious patients."
Mumford, who took over as hospital administrator only five months earlier, could not have been fully aware of how typical the community's support for Tod Children's Hospital was. Over the years, through dozens of campaign, philanthropists and just plain folks contributed millions of dollars to the hospital, and millions more to its parent, the Youngstown Hospital Association, predecessor to Forum Health.
That generosity is being repaid in a most peculiar way. A health system that was built by the community and for the community is being dismantled by interim appointees, consultants and a board of trustees that works behind closed doors and announces each decision to dismember the system as fait accompli.
Worth studying
The case of Tod Children's Hospital is instructive.
A month after Mumford poured out his thanks to the community, Forum announced that it was moving Tod Children's Hospital from its own building into the Northside Medical Center, with an estimated savings of 4 million a year and a promised improvement in accommodations for patients and their families. & quot;For us, this is a very good year. We're not ceasing to exist, and we are going to enhance what we have, & quot; said Mumford.
An interim corporate director of communications said that moving Tod into the former maternity area on Northside's third floor also solidified Northside's position. Forum's major facilities include Northside and Tod in Youngstown, Trumbull Memorial Hospital in Warren and Hillside Rehabilitation Hospital in Howland.
In November, Forum held its annual "Light Up a Life" Christmas Tree lighting in front of the old Tod building, a kickoff to the hospital's direct-mail fund-raising campaign.
On the last day of January, Forum announced Tod will be closed. Forum will collaborate with Humility of Mary Health Partners and Akron Children's Hospital to operate a pediatric care unit at the St. Elizabeth Health Center's Boardman Campus.
Members of the board of trustees arrived at a meeting Jan. 30 to approve Tod's clasing, waving off reporters and declining to comment.
People who remember Forum's public expressions about the future of Tod and Forum's deep appreciation of the community's support have reason to wonder when they will next be told, after the fact, about the further dismantling of a once proud community resource.