Further jeopardy for Island healthcare: Dr. Kelt seeks Town’s help to stay on

The fragile health care system on Shelter Island, which many residents see as the number one issue facing the community, was front, center and at the top of the Sept. 1 Town Board work session.

The first item on the agenda was to hear comments from the public, and after the Pledge of Allegiance was said and the meeting opened by Supervisor Amber Brach-Williams, Judy Card walked to the podium. 

Ms. Card noted that the Island could soon be serviced by only one physician, whose hours now are few and far between. That, along with the closing of the Island’s only pharmacy would be a significant blow to the health and comfort of Shelter Islanders.

Ms. Card noted that she and others had learned that Dr. Peter Kelt had written to Ms. Brach-Williams to inform her that if he didn’t receive help from the Town, he would retire in December. If that comes to pass, it will leave Dr. Joshua Potter as the only resident physician here. Dr. Potter has cut back on his hours at the Medical Center, often working one full day and two half days a week.

Ms. Card said she was not speaking for Dr. Kelt but acting as a “concerned citizen.” She added that in his email to Ms. Brach-Williams, Dr. Kelt had said that the overhead of his practice had become too steep. He asked the Town to support him in securing the backing of a large medical corporation so he could continue serving the community as he has for decades — the doctor has practiced medicine for 44 years, 40 of them on Shelter Island. If he doesn’t secure a contract by December then he would wrap up his long career. 

“Is there anything you can do?” Ms. Card asked the Board.

Ms. Brach-Williams said she had received the doctor’s email and had spoken with him that morning. She understands that the community doesn’t want him to shut his practice, she said, and had reached out to executives at Stony Brook Medicine and Northwell to consult with them, but had not heard back by Tuesday morning. 

To inform the major medical corporations that Dr. Kelt has a wide and loyal client base, Ms. Brach-Williams suggested that the “community draft a letter of support” for the doctor, which can be presented to medical corporation executives. 

Ms. Card noted that time is short for a December deadline. Ms. Brach-Williams said she realizes that and urged the community to come together with the letter of support.