Beaver, Pa.-based Heritage Valley Health System has laid off several workers and is closing multiple facilities as part of an organizational downsizing, Beaver County Radio reported July 31.
The workforce and service cuts were made to help the system meet its fiscal year 2025 (year ending June 30) budget as the two-hospital health system continues to evaluate a potential partner, president and CEO Norman Mitry said in a July 31 letter to employees, according to the report.
"The workforce reduction was given careful consideration, and affected employees were provided a severance package consistent with organizational policy," Mr. Mitry said. "While such decisions are painful for all of us, they are unfortunately unavoidable in order to preserve the future viability of the health system."
The downsizing includes:
- The closure of HVHS MRI services, which will transition to Robinson Township, Pa.
- The closure of Heritage Valley Pediatrics in Calcutta, Pa., effective June 30
- The closure of BusinessCare in Center Township, Pa., effective Sept. 30
- The elimination of workers' temporary half time incentive, effective for the pay period ending Sept. 7
- The adjustment of services at the Heritage Valley Sewickley Kennedy campus, including the centralization of certain services for efficiency and cost effectiveness
"The rate of change and competition we are experiencing in healthcare requires continued focus on the customer experience and management of expenses, while still considering areas for potential expansion," Mr. Mitry said. "We will continue to monitor operations, maximize our revenue streams and prudently manage our expenses, including the careful review of current and future position vacancies."
The health system did not respond to Becker's question about the number of employees affected in this round of layoffs.