ZACHARY, La. (WAFB) - Lane Regional Medical Center in Zachary has eliminated 14 positions and is shutting down its Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology Clinic as part of organizational changes to strengthen its long-term financial stability, hospital officials confirmed Thursday, August 6.The staffing cuts, which affect staff, leadership, and physician roles, come as the hospital continues to navigate persistent financial pressures, including rising operating costs, workforce challenges, and lagging reimbursement rates, hospital leaders sa...
ZACHARY, La. (WAFB) - Lane Regional Medical Center in Zachary has eliminated 14 positions and is shutting down its Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology Clinic as part of organizational changes to strengthen its long-term financial stability, hospital officials confirmed Thursday, August 6.
The staffing cuts, which affect staff, leadership, and physician roles, come as the hospital continues to navigate persistent financial pressures, including rising operating costs, workforce challenges, and lagging reimbursement rates, hospital leaders said. Officials cited low patient volume as the reason for closing the allergy clinic.
“These were extraordinarily difficult decisions and among the most challenging we have faced as an organization,” Lane CEO Frank Corcoran said in a statement. “While these decisions are painful, they are intended to preserve our mission and ensure that Lane remains a trusted healthcare resource for this community for years to come.”
Hospital leaders said Lane remains fully operational and committed to delivering patient care.
At the same time, Lane confirmed it is still actively exploring a potential affiliation with another healthcare organization to enhance its financial stability and support physician recruitment.
The hospital’s Board of Commissioners originally authorized exploring an affiliation last month on July 16.
Corcoran stressed that no final decisions regarding a strategic partner have been made, and the evaluation process remains ongoing.
Zachary Mayor David McDavid said he learned firsthand Thursday how the layoffs are affecting employees.
“I ran into one of the people that was laid off today at a restaurant; I was eating there, and they told me they’d been laid off, and it was devastating,” McDavid said.
McDavid said he hopes Lane can find a partnership that preserves and strengthens health care services in Zachary.
“If they could partner with, you know, Lady of the Lake, Ochsner, Baton Rouge General, whoever it may be, to make sure it stays with a solid foundation that we continue to grow here in Zachary,” McDavid said.
“You’ve still got to have a bigger hospital here with all you can do. Whether it’s heart doctors, surgeries and stuff here, it’s very important for this region,” he added.
The hospital has eliminated 14 positions and is exploring a potential affiliation, though officials say no final decision on a partner has been made.
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