Two months after closing, Sharon Regional Medical Center in western Pennsylvania is reopening under new management. The hospital, previously owned by Steward Health Care, had shut down on January 5, causing concern in the community. Steward, a for-profit company, had filed for bankruptcy last year and sold most of its hospitals, with some facilities closing due to a lack of buyers.
Last week, the Pennsylvania Department of Health approved the reopening of the medical center. Tenor Health Foundation Sharon, LLC, will now operate the hospital under Steward’s existing license while working to obtain its own license in the future.
Dr. Debra Bogen, Pennsylvania’s health secretary, confirmed that the facility met safety requirements and was ready to resume operations. She stated that the health department’s top priority is patient safety at Sharon Regional and all other healthcare facilities in Pennsylvania. She also praised the efforts of department staff, who worked tirelessly to ensure the hospital complied with regulatory standards.
The reopening of Sharon Regional was met with celebration by local officials and community members. Pennsylvania State Senator Michele Brooks shared on Facebook that the event was well attended and marked the beginning of a new chapter for the hospital. She expressed gratitude to the hospital’s staff for their dedication and thanked Tenor Health and state officials for making the reopening possible.
Tenor Health CEO Radha Savitala also spoke at the reopening event, highlighting the hospital’s importance to the community. He acknowledged that the facility has impacted many lives, whether as a place of employment or a trusted healthcare provider, and emphasized the significance of its return.
In December, Steward Health Care notified the Pennsylvania Department of Labor about its plans to close Sharon Regional, a decision that left approximately 700 employees without jobs. The state has also been working to prevent the closure of other hospitals, particularly in the Philadelphia region.
In eastern Pennsylvania, concerns were raised over the potential closure of two hospitals owned by Crozer Health. However, the Foundation for Delaware County has intervened to keep them operational for now. Crozer Health’s parent company, Prospect Medical Holdings, has filed for bankruptcy, adding to the uncertainty surrounding hospital ownership and financial stability.
Over the past year, Steward Health Care has sold multiple hospitals across the country. In the third quarter of 2024 alone, the company finalized deals to sell 11 hospitals. Despite these sales, some facilities, including Carney Hospital and Nashoba Valley Medical Center in Massachusetts, closed in September due to a lack of buyers.
The bankruptcy of Steward Health Care and Prospect Medical Holdings has fueled ongoing criticism of private equity firms owning hospitals. A bipartisan Senate Budget Committee report condemned private equity ownership in the healthcare sector, arguing that financial interests are being prioritized over patient care. The closures of multiple hospitals have raised concerns about the long-term stability of the industry and the impact of corporate financial decisions on public health.
Disclaimer: This article has been meticulously fact-checked by our team to ensure accuracy and uphold transparency. We strive to deliver trustworthy and dependable content to our readers.
