ng ag (153 Aud BROOKHAVEN NATIONAL LABORATORY ASSOCIATED UNIVERSITIES, INC. MA Upton, New York 11973 Medica! Department (516) 345- 3577 " May 5, 1977 Mr. Masshya Lena Magistrate Utirik Atoll Dear Masshya, It was with considerable regret that we noted the negative feelings expressed about Dr. Knudsen during the March meeting of the Utirik Council with the Brookhaven Medical Team. This is especially so since Dr. Knudsen is a very highly qualified and widely respected physician who I know has been, along with his wife, dedicated to helping the Marshallese people. As you know, his services are necessary to provide the quarterly visits. It will now be necessary for Dr. Knudsen to return to Brookhaven. As explained in the Council meeting, it is extremely difficult to obtain well qualified physicians willing to spend a substantial amount of time away from their homes in the United States and it is thus unlikely that we shall be able to replace Dr. Knudsen, at least in the near future, The medical team joins me in expressing our appreciation for the cooperation of the Utirik people in carrying out the recent examinations. With best personal regards, I am sincerely yours, Robert A. Conard, M.D. RAC: gc D Luplcate of d. core Zz 43B/LS