Kris Burleigh, an emergency department coordinator at PeaceHealth Southwest Medical Center, was unexpectedly laid off after 24 years as part of broader workforce reductions impacting over 100 employees. The layoffs, mainly targeting support staff like lab technicians and social workers, stem from financial difficulties faced by PeaceHealth. Emma Nellor, a medical social worker also losing her job, highlighted the critical role of social workers in facilitating patient transitions post-hospitalization, emphasizing their importance for patient recovery and mental health, which could be compromised in their absence.
We want to make sure [people] get sent out with the best possible supports in place, so we manage that—setting people up with home health. This role is critical; without social workers, patient transitions could falter, impacting recovery positively.
This layoff comes as PeaceHealth faces financial challenges, resulting in cuts that largely affect essential roles like lab technicians and mobility aides. These positions are pivotal for hospital functioning.
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