Citing its 'comprehensive operational development plan' intended to realign the hospital's resources for the future, Washington Regional Medical Center in Fayetteville fired 43 employees last Wednesday.
The employees fired were 'management and front-line professionals,' according to the announcement.
Terry Fox, director of marketing, said another 40 positions have been eliminated through attrition over the past three months and nine employees have had their hours reduced. Twelve licensed professionals were also reassigned from administrative positions to patient-care positions.
'The first phase of the operational development process began a year prior to the opening of our new, state-of-the-art medical center in August 2002,' the hospital announced in a press release. 'The second phase will proceed over the, next two years and will focus on realigning departments and resources to more appropriately serve the future needs of northwest Arkansas.'
WRMC, led by President and CEO Steve Lampkin, moved into a 233-bed, $89 million state-of-the-art facility on Aug. 27.
The work force reduction is expected to save about $2.3 million annually.
