Roseville, Calif.-based Adventist Health will not reopen its hospital in Paradise, Calif., and finalized more than 1,300 layoffs, according to the Paradise Post.
Adventist Health submitted a required Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification letter to the state Jan. 8 explaining that more than 1,300 full- and part-time employees would be affected by the closure of Adventist Health Feather River.
The health system conducted a town hall meeting for employees in December 2018 and sent an email to employees about the hospital's closure.
Adventist Health previously told the San Francisco Chronicle the hospital was severely damaged by the Camp Fire, the largest wildfire in U.S. history that burned at least 153,336 acres and destroyed at least 19,000 buildings, according to USA Today.
While the hospital is expected to remain closed, the system reopened the Adventist Health Feather River Health Center in December 2018, and reopened its pharmacy in January. The health center provides a number of key services, including behavioral health, general surgery, internal medicine and laboratory services, among others. The health system also expanded its care services to residents in nearby areas.
Officials told the Chronicle the hospital would not be restored until maybe 2020, but that all employees would receive their full salaries through Feb. 5 and full health benefits until May, according to the Paradise Post. The health system is also working with affected employees to connect them with jobs at other Adventist Health facilities or other positions. To date, the system has placed 407 out of 1,205 employees in roles at other Adventist Health faclities. The system is also offering relocation benefits to employees who move to other communities with Adventist Health facilities.
Officials said employees who have not been placed in new roles are encouraged to take advantage of services offered by the health system to assist in their employment search. Adventist Health also created a fund to support providers, volunteers and others who were affected by the wildfires. The system has raised more than $7.2 million for associates, $3.7 million of which has been donated to individuals affected by the wildfires.
To access the full report, click here.
Editor's note: This article was updated at 3:27 p.m. Feb. 14 to include additional information from Adventist Health.