Nashville, Tenn.-based Hospital Corporation of America is closing its Edward White Hospital in St. Petersburg, Fla., no later than Nov. 24, according to a Tampa Bay Business Journal.
Peter Marmerstein, president of HCA West Florida, said a "significant rise in unoccupied licensed hospital beds" throughout the region contributed to the decision to close the 162-bed hospital, along with the hospital's aging facility.
Edward White Hospital, which opened in 1976, filed a notice with the state indicating it would lay off 354 employees. Approximately 85 percent of employees will have an opportunity to transition into similar roles at other the 16 other hospitals within HCA West Florida, according to the report.