Edward M. Powers, Ph.D.
 P.O. Box 1050
 Plymouth, MA 02360

February 24, 1999

   Re: Lucille M. Iacovelli
       10/18/49

Dear Dr. Feldman,

   l am writing at the request of the above named client to advise you of her decision to undertake a course of outpatient psychotherapy with me for treatment of depression.

   As you are aware, Ms. Iacovelli is experiencing adjustment problems following cosmetic facial surgeries performed at the Mass. General Hospital. l find her current depression to be largely reactive in nature. It appears essentially attributable to her dissatisfaction with the outcome of the aforementioned surgical experiences and the subsequent challenges she has had to confront in an effort to get her medical grievances redressed.

   It seems to me that it would be in all parties' best interests if Ms. Iacovelli met with you to discuss her current surgical options. Thus far, the client has been consistent in expressing to me her openness to undergoing such corrective procedures as you may recommend. Given the delays that have been experienced to date, a timely consultation with her would be advisable. Should surgical correction be proposed, Ms. Iacovelli impresses me as one who is psychologically prepared to undertake such a course without undue emotional complications.

   l currently foresee Ms. lacovelli's continuing participation in Outpatient psychotherapy as the medical experience goes forward. If I can be of any additional assistance in this effort please feel free to contact me.

   Sincerely,
   Edward M. Powers, Ph.D.

cc: Lucille M. Iacovelli
      Eric E. Johnson, M.D.
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Please note the DATE of this letter, written nearly one month BEFORE Dr.  May's phone message asking me to bring documentation of my emotional suitability for surgery.. Another interesting note regarding Dr. May's reference to "Dr. Wilhelm" AND "Dr. Sabine"..  Sabine Wilhelm, Ph.D. is ONE PERSON! She is THEIR OWN THERAPIST! When you read Dr. May's phone message, you will know what I mean when I say: At Mass General,  the left hand doesn't know what the right hand is doing.

They insisted I see a therapist, so I did..  Dr. Ted Powers and I  had established a very good rapport.   His letter to Dr. Feldman  clearly states his condfidence in  my emotional suitability for revision surgery.  He also attributes the source of my depression is  DELAY of MGH doctors to address my problem.

In my sincere effort to do everything possible to accommodate their wishes, (against the better judgment of my  primary care doc and nurse practitioner) I agreed to be evaluated by  THEIR therapist,  Dr. Sabine Wilhelm.  They never provided Dr. Wilhelm with a single note about my case, nor inform her regarding their proposal.   

The paper trail is too extensive for me to post every bit of written evidence, proving,  unequivocally,  the deceit and stonewalling in which they engaged, to prevent my holding them to their original agreement that Dr. Feldman would perform my revision surgery. 

This type of patient victimization has  "RISK MANAGEMENT ATTORNEY" written all over it.  They claim to have my best interest at heart    I think not..  It is obvious, from start to finish, that self  interest ..that of MGH and its doctors... is the extent of thier interest or concern.   Results of recent studies indicate the main motivation of most malpractice lawsuits is failure of doctors and hospitals to admit their mistakes, as any victim of this corrupt system will confirm.  What, then, prevents a world renowned facility like Mass General from recognizing this fact?   Harvard Risk Management has a lot to learn about human nature.