The owner of Fairmont Regional Medical Center said it plans to permanently close the facility in 60 days because of financial difficulties and its inability to find a buyer.
A memo explaining the decision was distributed Tuesday morning to the medical center’s 600-plus physicians, nurses and staff.
“Our plans to reorganize some administrative functions and develop other revenue sources were insufficient to stop the financial losses at FRMC,” Bob Adcock, Fairmont Regional’s CEO, said in a letter. “Our efforts to find a buyer or new source of financing were also unsuccessful.”
Fairmont Regional was acquired in June 2014 for $15.3 million by Alecto Healthcare Systems of Irvine, Calif. Alecto closed both East Ohio Regional Hospital in Martins Ferry, Ohio, and Ohio Valley Medical Center in Wheeling, last year.
Alecto officials did not respond to telephone calls or email for comment Tuesday afternoon.
Both officials from WVU Health System and Mon Health said they are closely watching what is taking place at the 207-bed FRMC.
“We’re aware of the situation and are monitoring it very closely. We’re certainly concerned about the implications this could have for the residents of Marion County, as well as the hospital’s employees. Our commitment is always to ensure West Virginians have access to critical healthcare services, and as a reminder, Marion County residents have quick access to many of our services at our Fairmont Gateway Clinic and Whitehall Medical including Urgent Care,” a WVU Health spokesperson said.
Those sentiments were echoed by David Goldberg, president and CEO of Mon Health, who said in a statement, “We’re saddened to hear about the probable closure of Fairmont Regional Medical Center. We have a long history of collaboration with the hospital, clinicians, and citizens of Marion County. Mon Health System will continue to provide care, treatment, and programs to residents through our already established services. We’ve recently announced expansion of Mon Health services as part of our ongoing commitment to the community, adding to our cardiology, primary care, and soon-to-be women’s health services. We will continue to monitor the community needs and meet those needs through Mon Health and other collaborations. The most important part of any solution is to ensure that citizens Greater Fairmont and its surrounding communities continue to have real choice in where they get their healthcare.”
