Western Missouri Medical Center, a nonprofit, community facility in Warrensburg, cut 41 positions as part of a cost-savings strategy.
A medical center spokesperson told Becker's Hospital Review the cuts resulted in the layoffs of 33 clinic and hospital employees, including various support departments, such as materials management, clerical positions and healthcare providers.
In a statement, WMMC attributed the move to healthcare industry challenges and growth in corporate competition.
"Providing our community with quality healthcare for the years to come is always our priority," said Darinda Reberry, MSN, RN, the medical center's president and CEO. "We have not been immune to the ever-growing challenges in the healthcare industry and therefore we have made tough decision in response to the financial struggles of our past in order to establish a strong foundation for the future of our area's health."
Ms. Reberry said by accounting for attrition, unfilled or open positions, and working to reduce operating expenses in other avenues, WMMC was able to limit the number of job cuts. She said the medical center also avoided extreme hour reductions of all employees by eliminating and combining roles.
In addition to the layoffs, WMMC is also cutting operating expenses by examining and reducing contracted services, restructuring organizational leadership at the end of 2017 and closing its Western Missouri Family Healthcare-Holden clinic, effective March 3.
"These decisions were difficult for all, but were necessary to strengthen us financially for years to come, allowing WMMC to continue doing what we love — making a difference in the lives of our patients and greater community," Ms. Reberry said.
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