Code Blue • Jackson Avery

Chapter Fifty Eight

It was a few weeks later since we had been rewarded in the case. Turns out the hospital was required to pay us instead of the insurance. It wasn't looking too good for Seattle Grace Mercy West at the moment.

A meeting for all attendings, residents and interns was called today. Everyone had to be there. So despite being my one day off in awhile I was called in.

We gathered in the main waiting area near the main nurses station. Chief Hunt walked up the stairs ready to begin.

"Okay lets start. As many of you know, Seattle Grace Mercy West has suffered a financial setback. The administration is working hard to keep the impact of that setback as small as possible to that end, we're gonna have to initiate some cost-cutting measures" he announced. I looked around to see some faces worried.

"The board has hired a physician advisor to help"

"What's a physician advisor?" Meredith asked.

"Well, she consults on maximizing efficiency, streamlining processes, assessing where we can trim our budgets"

"Who to fire and when to fire them?" Bailey asked all annoyed. It was clear some had certain opinions on the accident and the lawsuit. I hadn't expected Bailey to be one of them.

"She's here to advise and help. I was hoping to introduce her in person, but she seems to be late" Hunt said as he checked his wrist watch.

"On her first day? Not very efficient" Cristina commented. Laughter erupted from the group.

"You can expect to see her in the halls, in the labs and in the O.R."

"So we are going to have an accountant following us around the O.R.s?" My dad asked.

"What if we aren't operating or conducting surgeries" I said. I was going to be pulling myself from surgeries in a week or so as I could have the baby anytime in the next month. Surgery and labor wasn't the most ideal spot to be in at the same time.

"She's a surgeon she understands. I thank you for your time and cooperation"

I was about to go home when Hunt called my name.

"She would like to talk to you if that's okay?"

"Yeah sure. I'll be in the conference room" I said. I went and sat down, waiting for her to meet with me.

"Alana Cahill" she greeted as she walked in 30 minutes later or so. Hunt was behind her.

"Isabella Shepherd" I said. She sat down across from me while Hunt hung out in the background.

"We reviewed your profile and you haven't done many solo surgeries during your three months here" she said reviewing my case.

"Yes well I didn't take on surgeries until my one month mark of being here. I instead took the first month working with the neurosurgeon who was here taking place for Dr. Shepherd. Especially in the case of Neuro, I don't just do surgeries because I want to. I have to know I can operate" I stated.

"Well because of this we are going to have to consider you as a possible cut. Your pay to surgery ratio is a concern to the hospital budgets. We wanted to make you aware so you could have another potential job lined up"

"Is this because I'm pregnant? I don't need the paid leave. Or is this because I'm sitting on cash from the hospital?" I said all irritated.

"By law we can't discriminate and fire because of pregnancy. It's the lack of surgeries performed over your three month span. You being involved in the lawsuit and compensation has nothing to do with this" she coldly stated.