Let's Clear Something Up--"No OB Unit employees were laid off"

After the closure of the Obstetrics Unit at Arkansas Valley Medical Center in La Junta, CEO Andy Flemer wanted to make sure the community understood that no one lost their job due to the April 30th closing.

Flemer responded in writing to a television news department who did a story on the closure. In the report, the misunderstanding came as the reporter indicated that several people were laid off.

Flemer cleared it up to the media entity who aired the information, stating in an email:

"No employees were laid off. On the contrary, all 16 OB Unit staff members were guaranteed jobs elsewhere within AVRMC by me as CEO.

Many transferred to jobs to our Operating Room, Emergency Department, Med/Surg Unit, Information Technology. A few retired and a small number decided to stay as OB RNs and join national nursing agencies and travel.

No OB Unit employees were laid off

I guaranteed jobs for all 16 OB Unit at significant expense."

The hospital made the decision to close the Obstetrics/Gynecology unit because it was losing close to $200,000 a month due to fewer babies being born and difficult dependency on Medicaid funding, which is 70-percent.

A a recent town hall, CEO Flemer encouraged the crowd to reach out to state representatives about concerns of funding of rural hospitals.

To be ready in the event of an emergency birth, Flemer said they have been training their Emergency Department staff to handle those situations.

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