The new owners of an Idaho hospital laid off 6 percent of its staff, including the chief medical officer and some nurses.
The St. Joseph Regional Medical Center in Lewiston eliminated 62 positions on Thursday, leaving the hospital with 956 employees, the Lewiston Tribune reported. RCCH HealthCare Partners acquired the hospital located near the state's border with Washington in May.
RCCH HealthCare Partners spokesman Jeff Atwood said the staffing cuts affected most departments, but the hospital did not plan to lay off any more employees.
A number of physicians and patients left the hospital when ownership was in question. Interim Hospital CEO Cindy Cowie said staff outnumbered the hospital's needs as a result, leading to the staffing cuts.
Cowie and Hospital Board of Trustees Chairman Tony Fernandez said in a joint statement that patient care will not be affected by the employee reduction and the hospital's commitment to the community has not changed.
Most of the employees affected by the cuts will receive severance pay and will be eligible for extended health insurance benefits.
RCCH HealthCare Partners is made up of 16 regional health systems in 12 states.