Letter to Thomas Miller, CEO of Quorum Health Corporation and John Walsh, CEO of Affinity Medical Center - Delay Closure of Affinity Medical Center in Massillon to Protect Ohio Jobs and Patients

Letter

Dear Mr. Miller and Mr. Walsh,

We write to share our deep concern over Quorum Health's sudden announcement regarding the closure of Affinity Medical Center. We urge you to delay Affinity Medical Center's closure and instead work with the City of Massillon and local stakeholders to identify, solicit, and confirm a successor for the critical care currently provided by the hospital prior to ending all operations.

As you are aware, Affinity Medical Center is a 156-bed acute care hospital that has been an integral part of the community in Massillon, Ohio for more than 100 years. Not only has this facility contributed to the health of the surrounding area for the last century, it has also contributed meaningfully to the economic health of Stark County, employing more than 800 individuals from the local community.

It is our understanding that Quorum Health currently plans to end all clinical services at Affinity Medical Center by February 4, 2018 and wholly close the hospital by early March. We were surprised this announcement, and are concerned that Quorum's current timeline gives the local community -- including patients and their families, employees, and other local stakeholders -- less than a month to find alternative sources for both critical health care services and employment opportunities. This announcement and lack of contingency planning and cooperation with the local community threatens the health and financial wellbeing of the residents of Massillon, including the hospital's committed workforce.

We urge Quorum Health to take a step back from its announced closure timeline and instead engage with local stakeholders on potential means to continue operations at the hospital in a way that protects the hospital's patients as well as its dedicated employees.

We remain ready to support your collective efforts to ensure a positive outcome for the residents of Massillon, who have relied on Affinity Medical Center as a source of trusted care in the community since 1904. Please do not hesitate to reach out if our offices can be of assistance.

Sincerely,

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