Ogdensburg, N.Y.-based North Star Health Alliance has shared plans to reduce its workforce by more than 100 positions across its clinical and nonclinical and management teams, according to a Jan. 20 news release shared with Becker’s.
The system said the reductions are part of “broader operational adjustments” enacted to ensure long-term sustainability in its service area. The system also said it will remain in contact with the state’s department of health as it implements the reductions.
“North Star Health Alliance is evaluating service lines and clinic offerings across the system to better streamline operations and support long-term sustainability. Any changes that involve discontinuing or closing a service must follow required State review and approval processes,” a spokesperson for the system said in a statement shared with Becker’s.
North Star Health comprises Carthage (N.Y.) Area Hospital, Ogdensburg, N.Y.-based Claxton-Hepburn Medical Center and Medical Campus, and Watertown, N.Y.-based North Country Orthopaedic Group, according to its website.
“Like many rural healthcare systems, NSHA continues to face significant financial pressure driven by rising costs, workforce constraints and ongoing challenges that limit the ability to sustain current operations at every site and service line,” the release said. “Since August 2022, we have worked collaboratively with the New York State Department of Health on an approved transition plan for the Ogdensburg campus and completed all of the milestones of that plan.”
In early December, North Star Health shared that it could miss payroll, cut programs and jobs, and close facilities without financial support from the state.
In August 2022, the regional health system proposed consolidating Ogdensburg services into two co-located hospitals: a 40-bed behavioral health facility and a 25-bed critical access hospital. Critical access status was confirmed in early December 2025 after state and federal regulators approved the plan. However, prolonged billing issues have created a financial strain for the system.
“These decisions are incredibly difficult, and we recognize the impact they have on our staff and the communities we serve,” Richard Duvall, president and CEO of North Star Health Alliance, said in the release. “Our focus is to support affected team members while realigning resources to support consistent care delivery across the system.”
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