UPDATE: Saint Joseph Regional Medical Center announces job cuts

by Dustin Grove (grove@wsbt.com)

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Saint Joseph Regional Medical Center in Mishawaka

Saint Joseph Regional Medical Center in Mishawaka (WSBT photo)

By Beth Boehne

MISHAWAKA — Saint Joseph Regional Medical Center announced Tuesday it is cutting 60 jobs and closing part of its Mishawaka hospital sooner than expected.

But the cuts aren't just at Mishawaka's downtown hospital; they also came from the South Bend and Plymouth campuses as well.

The changes are part of the hospital system's transition to a new facility next year near Main Street and Douglas Road.

Tuesday, administrators announced all inpatient services will move to the system's South Bend hospital campus. Only some outpatient programs and the emergency room will stay open until the new hospital is finished next year on Mishawaka's north side.

And the transition will cost jobs — from top level management, including the hospital's executive vice president, on down. Those 60 workers were notified Tuesday as they walked into work.

After a special meeting Tuesday morning, department heads and other managers wouldn't talk about it.

But in a statement, President and CEO Nancy Hellyer said the hospital system was eliminating 60 positions not only from the existing Mishawaka hospital, but from South Bend and Plymouth, too, in an effort to merge "like departments."

In that statement, Hellyer said "everyone impacted by this transition deserves our thanks and respect for their contributions to Saint Joseph Regional Medical Center and we will assist them to new opportunities as much as possible.”

The new hospital on Mishawaka's north side is expected to open in the fall of 2009. A spokesperson told WSBT News they may end up keeping the emergency room open downtown even after the new hospital is finished, depending on demand.

The spokesperson also said their goal is to not have any more job cuts as the transition continues.

Click on the link in the Related Content box to read the full statement issued by SJRMC President and CEO Nancy Hellyer.

Tuesday, Aug 19 at 12:51 PM unknown wrote ...

I went Mish ER while going for sugery to SJRMC my son passed away.... please keep or in mish..

Monday, Jul 7 at 11:20 AM Anonymous wrote ...

I think it is a complete and utter waste of resources. Freestanding ER and wound healing center? Way to soften the blow Saint Joe! What happens when someone is brought to the freestanding ER and needs immediate surgery or admittance? Oh yeah...ambulance them to Saint Joe- SB- 15 minutes away! WASTE OF TIME AND MONEY

Sunday, Jun 8 at 4:51 PM Anonymous wrote ...

"What goes around...comes around" Do you remember when St. Joe, Mishawaka took over South Bend Osteopathic Hosp & closed it down ? Many dedicated employees lost there jobs too ! Never think you are immune & update your resume & skills !

Thursday, Jun 5 at 7:48 PM indy rn wrote ...

Mish was one of the worst places i have ever been blessed to work at. it seems that there is no loyalty anywhere these days. there are some good nurses at mish, but you could not pay me enough to be a patient there.

Wednesday, Jun 4 at 12:51 PM Snickers wrote ...

It sure is funny that both Memorial and Saint Joseph are building but can't seem to keep their help.

Wednesday, Jun 4 at 12:47 PM what if wrote ...

Instead of trying to please certain people and moving the hospital in their neighborhood that SJ stayed in all their respective locations and used the money spent on building a new hospital to pay for all their current employees?

Wednesday, Jun 4 at 11:19 AM no better wrote ...

Memorial is no better - no bonuses for the "little" guy and way too many closed door sessions.

Wednesday, Jun 4 at 10:35 AM voice of reason wrote ...

I work at SB and I'm sorry for those who lost jobs - at all campuses. its hard to notify 2000 employees about something like this when people leak it to media. we are getting some good pople from mish and i welcome them. As a care provider I am concerned with good care and no matter what people say - SJ at all locations gives great care. Maybe we should ask politicians why health care has to cost so much and hospitals, patients and good employees suffer becuz of it

Wednesday, Jun 4 at 9:04 AM Anonymous wrote ...

Hey Memorial hospital has went thru this as well, letting people go. The economy and with everything increasing. All the jobs are being effected. Just like the boat and rv company's. People just want to have something to complain about. It's all around. Just pray that this country can get thru these hard times. It does effect us ALL. So where do you put the blame?????

Wednesday, Jun 4 at 7:40 AM to nowhappilyretired wrote ...

did you hever think of quiting and going elsewhere? if you're than unhappy, then quit. it's your right.

Wednesday, Jun 4 at 7:39 AM Anonymous wrote ...

are you people going to complain when the VA decides to take either St Joe Mish (downtown) or St Joe SB and make it a VA hospital? With the IU/ND medical facility going to a complete med school within the next couple of years, that means one of these hosp will get used. U know why? Cuz the VA likes to have hospitals around med schools. it trains the docs to work with non-average cases. Jobs will come back.

Wednesday, Jun 4 at 6:15 AM OLD SJRMC MISH wrote ...

Remember when they closed the surgical floor 5 years ago at mish? It used to be a great hospital and that is when things started happening. I feel for the rest of the employees still there, many of who are good friends, glad I made the transation to SB last year. Also I feel bad for the Gerig Surgical Associates, Those are some fab Dr's who put A LOT into mish. Cant wait to see what happens!

Wednesday, Jun 4 at 1:28 AM Sick of it! wrote ...

May the compassionate religious executives of Trinity develop a curable cancer that will be neglected because of the decisions that they have made.

Tuesday, Jun 3 at 10:37 PM Displaced Mish Staff wrote ...

It is very sad that we have to merge with SB. Mishawaka staff is very much like a family, today not only did we find out that we are being forced to leave our home by video and news reports.

Tuesday, Jun 3 at 10:26 PM we're all in the same sorry boat wrote ...

Well, at least the execs, managers and other hoity toities are getting included in the economic pain cascading down on us. I've noticed quite a few well-coiffed, poised, well-spoken individuals lately manning the fast food and retail jobs. It's shameful and things will probably develop into an even worse situation. Medicare is on the verge of bankruptcy. What gives when all the oldsters have no insurance. Will the docs work for free and the fancy new hospital provide free treatment. Pray!

Tuesday, Jun 3 at 10:11 PM me wrote ...

This happened before, but it only affected about 12 people when they outsourced the transcription department at St. Joe South Bend.

Tuesday, Jun 3 at 8:17 PM Shame wrote ...

"it has always been my policy to share information with our Associates before they read, see, or hear in the media" Funny. Many employees are still finding this out via the media.

Tuesday, Jun 3 at 7:41 PM mr. nowhappilyretired wrote ...

After I lost my good-paying job in 1983, I took employment at SJCH in Mish. out of desperation. It was quite a shock going from a Union environment to the "let em eat cake" attitude of the management at SJCH. I have never been as unfairly treated as a worker as I was at that organization. They thought nothing of underpaying you by $3 an hr. vs. similar workers. Cost of living increases were called merit raises. Favoritism was their game. Not surprised by how it's been handled so far.Stay tuned!

Tuesday, Jun 3 at 7:35 PM Jonas Salk wrote ...

SJRMC is evil!! shame on those ivory tower nazis for responding to their valued employees this way. They should be tossed out on their keesters!!!

Tuesday, Jun 3 at 6:28 PM defending wrote ...

I truly love my job! I am an SJRMC employee. I feel a need to defend... The new computer system - yes, trying and time consuming right now, in time it will prove itself as being an efficient and expected course for optimal care. As far as job cuts, more notice should have been afforded those out of a job, but, as rational media consumers don't let what some blatently bitter people write, affect your decisions regarding care. SJRMC has many compassionate and competent people waiting to help.

Tuesday, Jun 3 at 6:02 PM Disgruntled wrote ...

This place sucks! They did not even tell management until 10:30 this morning. They started to notify everyone at 12p and by 1pm it was on WSBT & WNDU. I thought notifying employees before the media was a priority? What happened to "no lay offs"? SJRMC has a lot of great employees but incidents like this tell me it is time for me to look elseware! They have NO RESPECT for employees!

Tuesday, Jun 3 at 5:49 PM Somewhere in Plymouth wrote ...

My son was just in the ER and admitted to St.Joe Plymouth, this is a joke the new computer system it took forever for the nurse to get evything entered while my son was laying there scared to death, thanks heavens for Riley in Indy becuase thats where we ened up much better care. Thats sad becuase Plymouth does has some awesome Dr's.

Tuesday, Jun 3 at 5:35 PM wondering if im still employed? wrote ...

I love how i work there at St.Joe SB and they said a week ago there would be no job cuts now there is hmmmm and i had to find out by the news i belive that i will be trying to get out of this hospital it is such a joke a bunch of lies. As long the ceo and the higher ups get paid there big money thats all the matters. With the new computer system also there is no such thing as patient care anymore. Were great workers at SB but we just need to leaders that is the biggest problem.

Tuesday, Jun 3 at 5:04 PM Snickers wrote ...

It's OK everyone, were still not in a recession or depression yet. At least that's what the president said.

Tuesday, Jun 3 at 4:17 PM ANNO wrote ...

SJRMC is a joke. GO MEMORIAL!

Tuesday, Jun 3 at 4:06 PM Wakarusa mom wrote ...

To Jon - I believe that the Plymouth hospital is under the same ownership, therefore, it is also affected.

Tuesday, Jun 3 at 3:49 PM m wrote ...

I also work for the hospital. We found out from the radio before we were officially told

Tuesday, Jun 3 at 3:29 PM To the Anonymous wrote ...

I am an SJRMC-employee in South Bend, and I knew today before the news.

Tuesday, Jun 3 at 3:18 PM jon wrote ...

what does the mishawalka and s.b. hosp. have to do with the plymouth one

Tuesday, Jun 3 at 3:17 PM Concerned wrote ...

And Mishawaka has paid dearly to move this hospital from South Bend to Mishawaka, tax abatements, etc. and for what? to change the commute for a few employees and downsize the overall operations of st joe med center.

Tuesday, Jun 3 at 2:48 PM Emilie wrote ...

I wonder how long these employees have to find new jobs. Good luck to them in these hard times.

Tuesday, Jun 3 at 2:43 PM T Gaskill wrote ...

I love that hospital, I wish it would stay. I still can't believe where they are building the new one. What's going to happen when they have an ambulance trying to get there around 1pm on a Sunday. With the traffic they have now I rarely see people driving with any courtesy.

Tuesday, Jun 3 at 1:39 PM anonymous wrote ...

Mishawaka employees may have known about this but SB employees surely didn't. They should definitely try to let their employees know these things instead of having to hear about it on the news!!

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