(STURGIS) - Sturgis Hospital will be closing at the end of this week.
In a media release, officials say they made the difficult decision to cease operations at Sturgis Hospital pending closure. The hospital will stop seeing patients at 12 PM on June 19.
This decision follows many years of ongoing financial challenges facing rural healthcare providers, including declining reimbursement rates, rising operational costs, and a sustained decrease in patient utilization. Despite extensive efforts by hospital leadership and the Board of Directors to secure the hospital's future, including pursuing potential acquisition opportunities and partnerships, a sustainable path forward could not be achieved.
This decision was reached only after every reasonable option to continue operations was thoroughly explored.
The closure will affect all hospital departments and services, including the Emergency Department, Endoscopy, Surgery, Laboratory, Medical Imaging, Physical Therapy, Cardiac Rehabilitation, outpatient clinics and supporting ancillary departments.
The Hospital Board would like to express their deepest gratitude to all of the physicians, nurses, technicians, therapists, support staff and other employees who have continued to provide exceptional patient care throughout this challenging period.
Patient safety and continuity of care remain the hospital's highest priorities during this transition. Sturgis Hospital will proactively notify active patients with upcoming appointments so those appointments can be canceled and arrangements made for care with other facilities.
Any patient who is experiencing an emergency should report to the closest emergency department. That includes Parkview LaGrange Hospital, Beacon Health Three Rivers and Insight Hospital & Medical Center Coldwater.