Steve Clapp, President/CEO of Curae Health (http://www.curaehealth.org/leadership-board-of-directors/), a Tennessee not for profit company announced last Friday the company’s plan to close Lakeland Hospital in Haleyville December 31. This unexpected announcement created a shock wave through the community. City Hall was packed Monday night at the regular council meeting as several citizens and doctors gave many reasons why the hospital should stay open.

Tuesday afternoon the reasons for the closing were presented in the form of a power point presentation by Mr. Clapp. It was basically an economic decision. Income did not match the expenses including debt retirement. Lakeland is one of three hospitals in NW Alabama owned by Curae. Russellville and Winfield, both larger facilities, will remain open. Mr. Clapp was asked if closing Lakeland would benefit the other two hospitals. Not intentionally was the reply. Many questions were raised, but the biggest and reoccurring question was what can be done, if anything, about keeping the hospital open.

Congressman Robert Aderholt was present and promised all the support he could give, including attempting to get an extension on a USDA loan to extend the closure in order to find a solution. Aderholt stated it may be possible to get a waiver on the distance requirement from other hospitals to convert to a Critical Access Hospital (CAH). Lakeland is less than one mile too close to the Hamilton Hospital, thus a waiver would be necessary to operate as a CAH.

Mayor Ken Sunseri stated other possible solutions are being explored, including finding another buyer. Mayor Sunseri has communicated with investors who were interested, but no firm offers yet. Mayor Sunseri is attempting to find a solution quick enough to avoid an actual closure and the loss of jobs at the end of December. More photos click below

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The Haleyville City Hall was filled to capacity Monday night with doctors, concerned citizens, and the CEO and employees of Lakeland Community Hospital and many concerned citizens as a result of the announced closing of Lakeland. Before the regular council session, Mayor Sunseri asked for comments from the packed room. Several spoke expressing their grief, sorrow, and apprehension over the closure. All had nothing but praise for the hospital. One testimony came from the very first patient at the ER in 1969, Gary Mize. Terry Fannin talked about being a patient this year and the great service provided by the nurses and staff at Lakeland.

The question on everyone’s mind was how do we keep the hospital open. One suggestion by Dr. Jerry Harrison was to do what Red Bay did. A critical access hospital, one which would retain the ER and have a limited bed hospital.

Following the public hearing, the council approved the October bills and purchase orders in the amount of $421,831.02. Approval was made to purchase two pool pumps to include installation for $1,100. With the discovery there was a better surface material than previously thought for the playground area at the new sports complex, the council voted to reject all bids based on the old material.

The next Haleyville City Council meeting will be Monday, December 4.   

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