×
X logo

Today's breaking news and more in your inbox.

I'm interested in (please check all that apply)

You may opt-out anytime by clicking "unsubscribe" from the newsletter or from your account.

Brown, Johnson Ask Alecto To Find Buyers for Hospitals

MARTINS FERRY — U.S. Sen. Sherrod Brown, D-Ohio, and U.S. Rep. Bill Johnson, R-Ohio, sent a letter last week to the executives overseeing the fate of East Ohio Regional Hospital and Ohio Valley Medical Center in Wheeling.

In the letter sent Friday and addressed to Lex Reddy, CEO of Alecto Healthcare Services, and Daniel Dunmyer, president and CEO of East Ohio Regional Hospital, the legislators state they “share deep concern” about Alecto Healthcare Services’ decision to close the facilities.

“And even more recent the decision to expedite the closure of OVMC,” the letter reads.

“We encourage you to reconsider your timeline for the closure of EORH and continue to work with local stakeholders and the cities of Martins Ferry and Wheeling to identify, solicit, and confirm a successor for the critical care currently provided by both facilities prior to ending all operations.”

Alecto has said it will close EORH as early as Oct. 7.

They go on to state how important both facilities are to the Ohio Valley. OVMC operated an inpatient psychiatric unit, which was a “critical component in the spectrum of care in the midst of a mental health and substance use disorder crisis.”

And EORH has operated a federally-funded black lung clinic for nearly 40 years.

“Not only have these facilities contributed to the health of the surrounding area for the last century, they have also contributed meaningfully to the economic health of the Ohio Valley Region, employing more than 1,200 individuals from the local community,” they wrote.

“The abrupt closure of OVMC earlier this week and Alecto Healthcare Services’ current plans to end all clinical services at EORH facility early next month has given the local community — including patients and their families, employees and other local stakeholders — less than a few months to find alternative sources for both critical health care services and employment opportunities.

“While we appreciate that Alecto Healthcare Services has made attempts to identify a strategic partner or buyer for the hospitals over the past few months, it is critical that you not abandon this effort yet. We encourage you to pause the announced EORH closure timeline, continue to collaborate with local elected officials and stakeholders, and recommit to finding a potential means to continue operations at the hospital in a way that protects both hospitals’ patients as well as its dedicated employees.”

NEWSLETTER

Today's breaking news and more in your inbox

I'm interested in (please check all that apply)
Are you a paying subscriber to the newspaper? *

Starting at $4.73/week.

Subscribe Today