Opp, Ala.-based Mizell Memorial Hospital will shutter its orthopedic surgery department June 20, according to a June 3 report from The Andalusia Star News.
The move is part of a cost-reduction plan from the hospital’s board of directors to decrease expenses by $2.4 million annually.
The hospital will shut down all orthopedic services and surgeries, which have lost the system approximately $250,000 in the past year, according to the report.
If orthopedic patients arrive at Mizell clinics or emergency rooms, they will be referred to other facilities in the area, according to a statement from the system.
“This decision was not made lightly, but it is necessary for us to protect the long-term viability of Mizell Memorial and ensure that we can continue to serve the Opp community effectively,” Lori Stanfield, MD, interim CEO of Mizell, told Star News. “As a key employer in the region, we are committed to being a pillar of support for the local economy and a reliable provider of essential healthcare.”
The system has not noted how many, if any, jobs will be impacted by the closure.
