Augusta (Ga.) University Health System's $8.8 million loss in the fiscal year ended June 30 was largely due to a lack of physicians to treat patients, according to The Augusta Chronicle.
"We lost a number of faculty last July, and that's what accounted for our poor financial performance," said Medical College of Georgia Dean David Hess, MD, who sits on AU Health System's board, according to the report. He said faculty members left for various reasons such as some were a poor fit for AU Health System.
Officials are focused on recruiting physicians to improve the system's financial picture. AU Health System has 40 new clinicians beginning in September and October and is actively recruiting for 73 additional positions.
AU Health System includes 478-bed Augusta University Medical Center, 154-bed Children's Hospital of Georgia in Augusta and more than 80 outpatient sites.
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