Steward Health System operates Hillside Rehabilitation Center in Warren, Ohio
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
May 6, 2024
Warren, Ohio –– On May 6, 2024, nurses at Hillside Rehabilitation Hospital received an unexpected email at 3:48 a.m. from Ralph de la Torre, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Steward Health Care System, LLC, informing them of the system’s filing for bankruptcy.
The Ohio Nurses Association (ONA) and AFT, representing Hillside’s registered nurses, expressed deep concern for the patients and community reliant on the hospital’s services upon hearing the news from Steward Health Care. The hospital plays a crucial role in providing inpatient and outpatient rehabilitation services to individuals in Trumbull County, the Mahoning Valley, and throughout Northeast Ohio, offering specialized care for those recovering from injuries, surgeries, and chronic conditions.
“While receiving this traumatic news is undoubtedly challenging, as nurses, we remain steadfast in our commitment to the wellness, care, and healing of our patients,” said De Anna Fuchilla, Chair of the Hillside Registered Nurses Association, a local unit of the Ohio Nurses Association. “Our community relies on Hillside for essential healthcare services, and we are committed to ensuring continued access to the care they require.”
The nurses at Hillside Rehabilitation Hospital recently signed a three-year contract with the hospital in December of 2023.
“We will exhaust every avenue to safeguard these vital healthcare services within the community and uphold the terms of our agreement,” said Rick Lucas, President and Executive Director of the Ohio Nurses Association. “Our dedicated nurses work diligently to deliver high-quality care, improving patients’ lives as they journey toward recovery. The loss of Northside Hospital in 2018 underscores the urgent need for collective action. We urge community leaders and elected officials to stand with us in supporting our nurses, health professionals, and those they serve, preventing further closures, and preserving essential services for the community’s well-being now and in the future.”
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About ONA
Formed in 1904, the Ohio Nurses Association is a powerful network of nurses and health professionals. Our mission is to unite and empower nurses and health professionals, championing their rights, promoting professional practice, and advocating for quality care for all patients in Ohio, while fostering a strong and cohesive professional union community. To learn more or to become a member of the Ohio Nurses Association, visit www.ohnurses.org.