STURGIS, MI (WTVB) – After years of financial struggles, Sturgis Hospital is set to close its doors this week.
Hospital officials Tuesday said they will stop seeing patients at 12:00 p.m. Friday, 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,” reads the press release from Loren L. Corbin, chief nursing officer. “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.”
Sturgis Hospital says they will notify patients with upcoming appointments so those can be canceled and arrangements made for care at other facilities.
In 2018 the hospital transitioned to an outpatient-based health system. The reduction in inpatient services caused the lay-off of about 60 full-time employees.
In the summer of 2022 the Sturgis City Commission approved a $645,000 loan to help the hospital stay operational as they awaited additional state funding. A change in state laws allowed Sturgis to become a rural emergency hospital January 1, 2023.
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