WLKM Radio 95.9 FM
Upcoming changes at Sturgis Hospital will affect the equivalent of almost 14 full-time positions.
In addition, the Pain Management Center and the Wound Clinic are scheduled to close. The actions are the result of Sturgis Hospital experiencing deficits during fiscal year 2017, hospital spokeswoman Phyllis Youga said. Those deficits were a result of declines in inpatient and outpatient volume, a changing mix of payors that reduced reimbursement and increases in cost of operation.
To help alleviate the losses experienced by the hospital over the past year, Sturgis Hospital’s Pain Management Center will close Dec. 1, and the Wound Clinic Dec. 8. Care of patients will return to their primary physician for treatment or referral.
Operational changes will affect full-time positions in the areas of Dietary, Urgent Care Centers, Sturgis Pediatrics, Sleep Center, Emergency Department, Diabetes Education and Laboratory, as well as the two closed clinics. The actual number of people unemployed is expected to be smaller as affected associates assume necessary, yet vacant, positions within the hospital.
