I am unable to write or say what I really feel because I am upset at the closing of the pain clinic in Sutter Lakeside Hospital, but I will try.

Dr. Vernetta Johnson is an angel for many of us. She is a great help and support to the people of Lake County to reduce their suffering and improve their quality of life by reducing their pain.

In spring 2007 she was featured in the Sutter Lakeside Hospital magazine in which she explained the proper procedures of pain management. Her main message was there is hope for chronic pain.

She is too important of a figure to be leaving this hospital. She is an icon and the people are very upset. She helps about 2,800 people a year always with a smile and her great personality. I know about 30 of her patients here in Upper Lake.

When I wrote my last letter about the Upper Lake Clinic closing I did not know at the time that the hospital was closing the pain clinic too. I never believed this would happen. It is so very much needed and people come from all over to see Dr. Johnson.

The nurses and the doctor were always so busy. At times it was hard to get an appointment, but if you were in real need they would always find a way to squeeze you in. Even to her discomfort of staying after the time the clinic would normally close.

Vernetta is very dedicated to her patients and helping everyone. She is an anesthesiologist and the director at the pain clinic at the hospital, which will close in June. She is dedicating her life to helping others. Not for money as she proved by traveling to other nations to help out when disaster strikes. Last year she went to Africa to help.

She is a great person and doctor. That is why we were all in shock to hear the ugly news of her discharge from the hospital.

We will miss Luana, Kathy, Leonor, Roger and Sandy; all the staff at this wonderful clinic.

The hospital will lose money not save money by closing the pain clinic down. Her patients had lab tests, x-rays and other procedures all done at the hospital, which generated income.

The hospital mailed out letters telling the community of other pain clinics available, but none are in Lake County. Ever if there were several here in the county I wouldn’t go. She is the only one for me.

I hope the hospital in losing a good doctor does not get a bad reputation. We need the pain clinic. We need more specialists, so more people will come from all over to our hospital. We need a hospital that will take care of all our needs. Too many times we have to go to Ukiah, Santa Rosa or some other city to get the services we need. This is wrong!

This is a nonprofit hospital, so why are they acting greedy.

Lisa Alotta lives in Upper Lake, Calif.