The job cuts are part of a plan dubbed “Mission Forward” that aims to save $30 million in expenses by narrowing the hospital’s operational focus to St. John’s core services of cardio, orthopedics, oncology, women’s services and neurosciences, according to a press release from the hospital.
The number of employees actually affected by these cuts may be less than 160 as some employees were repositioned while others had their schedules adjusted. In addition, the hospital avoided filling vacant positions to limit job loss.
The primary-care clinics closing are located in Grove, Okla., and Girard, Kan., according to The Joplin Globe.
George Caralis, St. John’s interim president and CEO, indicated that competition from Freeman Health System, also based in Joplin, over medical insurance contracts is a primary reason for financial challenges facing St. John’s, according to The Joplin Globe. He also attributed the growing numbers of uninsured patients and Medicaid rates which have remain unchanged for eight years as additional financial strains.
Read St. John’s press release on Mission Forward.
Read The Joplin Globe report on the changes at St. John’s Regional Medical Center.
