AM I NEXT? NO LOVE AT POMONA VALLEY HOSPITAL MEDICAL CENTER

Pomona, California-based Pomona Valley Hospital Medical Center, a not-for-profit acute care facility, has announced a 7% reduction in force in response to a $40 million budget shortfall driven by federal and state spending cuts, lower reimbursement rates, and rising personnel costs.

The reduction will impact 265 employees, systemwide, including management, clinical, and non-clinical staff, with the possibility of additional layoffs. 128 positions have been removed by not filling vacant positions and by planned retirements in 2026. Another 137 positions will be eliminated through layoffs and reduced hours. Separations are scheduled for March 15, 2026.

According to a spokesperson, “These decisions were made following a thorough evaluation of operational requirements, organizational structure, and redundancies in positions. The cuts were announced as part of a strategic plan to protect access to high-quality care, ensure long-term sustainability, and address growing financial challenges.”

President and CEO Richard Yochum noted, "It is with deep regret that we must take these difficult actions. Sadly, we are not alone in facing this healthcare industry crisis. We are working rigorously alongside policymakers and with our national, state, and local healthcare advocacy associations to further protect funding to maintain our ability to deliver high-quality health care services.”

Change is constant, and it's coming. There will always be a tomorrow, no matter how much you may try to ignore it. There are no guarantees in life, nor promises of a bright future. We see good people being laid off through no fault of their own. Just because something terrible hasn't happened yet doesn't mean it won't. It can happen to anyone, at any time, anywhere. No one is guaranteed to wake up tomorrow and still have a job by evening. While many employees can read the writing on the wall, why do most assume it’s targeted at someone else? Are you now wondering, Am I Next?