A FRESH START FOR HOSPITAL MORALE HIGH AFTER CHAPTER 11.

Byline: Naush Boghossian and Kathleen Sweeney  Staff Writers

SANTA CLARITA - Since Henry Mayo Newhall Memorial Hospital filed for bankruptcy, its critics - mainly employees and residents - have complained about everything from a poor administration and hospital policies to mismanagement of hospital funds.

They've even held a public meeting to voice their complaints - without inviting hospital administration.

But a walk through the hallways of Newhall Memorial tells a different story - one of employees looking forward to starting off with a clean slate.

``I've been through a lot here, going through the thick and thin, and the morale is the best that I've seen it,'' said Marcia Haaland, an emergency room nurse who has worked there for 11 years. ``There's a feeling going around the hospital that it doesn't matter that we're going through bankruptcy because it was a business move that had to occur.''

The sentiment is shared by other doctors and nurses. They admit there have been problems, but say the recent Chapter 11 filing - a result of not being able to pay a $10 million debt - is giving the hospital a chance at a new beginning.

Debbie Hernandez, a nurse who has worked at the hospital for 20 years, said changes in the administration's and employees' attitudes, and recent additions to the staff, have been encouraging.

``It's a breath of fresh air. The morale is better than it ever was,'' she said, contrasting it to widespread discontent four years ago when the hospital was under different leadership. ``After that the administration changed two times, and it was more positive each time. It's a slow process, but it's getting there.''

Clay Cormier, an emergency room doctor for nearly seven years, dismissed the public meeting where fellow doctors complained about hospital policies and the difficulty for new physicians to join the staff. He called it talk from a group of disgruntled workers.

``A lot of what was said was pretty exaggerated and it was more of a bashing,'' Cormier said. ``We have been through three CEOs and I don't know about how a hospital works, but you would have to think the administration has got to do better. It's a leap of faith. I don't see how we can repeat the same mistakes because we know what got us into debt.''

But City Councilman Bob Kellar, who has heard complaints about the management for more than a year, said the community cannot dismiss those concerns, especially from employees fearful of losing their jobs.

``If they have concerns, we should have concerns with them,'' Kellar said. ``There is a lot of dissatisfaction going on in the hospital.''

Don Fleming, co-owner of Valencia Acura and one of the hospital's biggest benefactors and fund-raisers, announced at the meeting that he would no longer contribute to the hospital until it straightened out its finances.

But Fleming has since changed his mind. He said withholding funds would only hurt the hospital and the community it serves.

``We can't let the hospital die,'' said Fleming, who also serves as chairman-elect of the hospital's foundation.

Diana Vose, president of the hospital's foundation, said community support has waned since the bankruptcy announcement, but the foundation continues to receive donations from people who understand its mission - to support patient care.

``It's OK. Folks have to feel comfortable when they contribute, and I know eventually they will feel secure in giving,'' Vose said. ``We had one woman last week who pulled out her pocketbook and gave $1,000, saying she hoped it would help.''

Vose said the foundation intends to launch a capital campaign to raise money for expanding the emergency room and adding cardiac services.