Banner Health is laying off some physicians as the Phoenix-based system restructures operations, according to the Phoenix Business Journal. The physician layoffs come after Banner eliminated several leadership positions across its network.
Banner first announced its restructuring efforts in February. The system said it wants to become more consumer-focused through the restructuring process, which involves changes to its leadership structure. In February, Banner eliminated some leadership positions. Last week, Banner issued a second round of layoffs, which included the system's vice president of public relations Bill Byron.
Now, "a small number" of physicians have been told their positions are being eliminated, Jennifer Ruble, senior director of public relations at Banner, told the Phoenix Business Journal. Some of the physician layoffs are due to the closure of Banner's obstetrics clinic in Casa Grande, Ariz. The system closed that clinic due to low patient volume.
Banner is also eliminating the cardiology clinics in its health centers in Sun City and Peoria, Ariz., which will lead to physician layoffs. Although Banner will no longer employ some of the cardiologists from those clinics after they close, Ms. Ruble told the Phoenix Business Journal that a group of the physicians plan to continue to work with Banner from private practice.
Because some of the physicians affected by the layoffs may fill other positions within the system, it isn't possible to know the exact number of physicians impacted by the job cuts, Ms. Ruble told the Phoenix Business Journal.
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