02/28/2022
Following CareMount departure, hospital plans to recruit new team of OB physicians to resume services
Putnam Hospital and Nuvance Health announced that effective today, March 1, CareMount’s OB/GYN physicians will no longer provide deliveries at Putnam Hospital. As the sole physician provider of deliveries at Putnam Hospital, CareMount’s decision means Putnam Hospital must temporarily suspend delivery services while it works to build a new team of physicians.
The hospital intends to begin recruiting a new team of OB physicians immediately so Labor & Delivery services can resume as soon as possible. No staff layoffs are planned as a result of this temporary suspension. Other women’s health services will remain at Putnam Hospital. CareMount physicians will continue seeing patients out of their offices at the hospital and providing gynecological surgery.
“Putnam Hospital’s Labor & Delivery unit provides exceptional, compassionate care to every family we serve.” said Dr. Mark Hirko, President of Putnam Hospital. “We recognize the value of these services to residents of Putnam County, and we are dedicated to making this suspension as short-lived as possible, supporting all affected patients and staff throughout this transition.”
Dr. Hirko and other members of Putnam Hospital and Nuvance Health’s leadership teams informed staff of the temporary suspension in February.
“Investing in Putnam Hospital is a crucial part of Nuvance Health’s strategic plan,” added Kerry Eaton, Chief Operating Officer of Nuvance Health. “As we look to strengthen and grow services here in Putnam County, women’s healthcare — including Labor & Delivery — will be at the forefront of our plans.”
Nuvance Health leadership advised that recruiting a full team of new physicians to resume deliveries at Putnam Hospital will take time. But throughout this suspension, hospital leadership will engage staff members in plans to revitalize the unit for its reopening, keeping staff and community members apprised of relevant updates throughout this process.
Anyone with questions or concerns can email askputnamhospital@nuvancehealth.org.