Bay Medical Sacred Heart, located in Panama City, Florida, has announced that there will be major layoffs as the hospital downsizes from a 323-bed facility after suffering major structural damages in October’s (2018) Category 4 Hurricane Michael.
Approximately 800 employees will be affected as the hospital plans to reopen at one-fourth its previous size. According to Bay Medical CEO Scott Campbell, “We are heartbroken to share this news at such a difficult time. The decision to reduce our workforce has been incredibly difficult, but necessary to ensure our ability to continue providing care to the community and preserve critical services.” The first phase of the restoration of services will include opening as a 75 bed facility with eight operating rooms and five cardiac catheterization labs.
The Bay Medical facility is operated by Ardent Health Services as a joint venture with Ascension Sacred Heart which is planning to purchase Ardent’s controlling interest and putting the facility in its nonprofit network portfolio.
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