St. Mark’s Medical Center Lays Off Nine of Employees

St. Mark’s Medical Center laid off nine employees two weeks ago. The positions affected were in both clinical and non-clinical areas.

According to St. Mark’s CEO Rick Montelongo, the layoffs were due to changes in Medicare and Medicaid reimbursement.

“The layoffs were not as a result of budget cuts but instead were an adjustment to our current healthcare environment.  As penalties increase and volumes decrease, it’s critical each hospital/physician office adapt to the new landscape,” Montelongo said in a statement on Tuesday, Sept. 13.

The Record has learned that at least two of the positions affected were in the billing department and community and physician relations.

The layoffs come about six months following leadership changes at St. Mark’s.

Montelongo took over as CEO following the departure of Shane Kernell at the end of February. Chief Financial Officer Jeff Casbeer also departed in February.