The Berrien County Democratic Party is upset by an email sent out by Lakeland Hospital to all medical staff on September 7 announcing a fundraiser for Congressman Fred Upton’s campaign to be held in Holland. Dr. Eric Lester is the party chairman.
“I was quite shocked that this happened,” Dr. Lester tells WSJM News. “I have nothing against Lakeland, our candidates have nothing against Lakeland, and we want to have a good working relationship with all the major institutions that exist in our community.”
But, he says the email could threaten the hospital’s non-profit status.
“A 501(c)(3) organization like Lakeland should not be engaging in any kind of partisan activity. I think all of us know that,” Lester continued.
Lakeland Hospital tells WSJM News in a statement they are impartial on political issues and the invitation to the fundraiser was sent out to the medical staff by mistake. The statement goes on to say they “immediately took steps to retract it.”
