Former Crozer employees gather as hospital officially closes for good
UPLAND, Pa. (WPVI) -- A second major hospital in Delaware County is now closed, leaving doctors, nurses and patients scrambling.
Crozer-Chester Medical Center in Upland ceased operations Friday. It's the second and final phase of the planned shutdown of Crozer Health.
The now former employees of the sprawling health system gathered for what they called a farewell tailgate. But the mood was far from festive.
RELATED: Crozer employees marking their final days ahead of closure this week
"We are very, very deeply saddened. I don't know how the community is going to take it," said Crozer Medical doctor of 40 years, Venkat Chintagumpala.
"It's sad. I'm getting emotional again," said Sharon McGeehan.
Although McGeehan retired years ago, she returned to support her former colleagues and speak up for potential patients, like herself.
Combined with the recent closure of Taylor Hospital in Ridley, the shutdown leaves thousands without a job and countless more without access to a nearby hospital.
"We have no trauma center. I could be one of the ones going to end up dying because they gotta go 30 minutes away, you know? So it's sad," said McGeehan.
Prospect Medical Holdings, the owner of Crozer and Taylor hospitals, went bankrupt. They failed to secure a buyer, even after receiving millions of dollars from the state.
A bankruptcy judge approved the closures on Tuesday of last week, and now, within a matter of 10 days, both hospitals are shut down.
Organizations like Keystone Health are helping patients find new locations for health care, and workers find employment.
"Folks need to understand what their options are and how we can help them," said Joan McFall, marketing president of Keystone First. "Prior to this situation, the Chester area was a healthcare desert anyway. With limited resources for primary care, specialty care, maternity care. This closure further compounds an existing issue."
Ambulances will still be stationed outside the Crozer ER through May 7, but only to transport patients to other hospitals, according to Crozer Health.
In light of Crozer's closure, Delaware County also announced new funding for four Advanced Life Support (ALS) vehicles complete with a paramedic for 3 months.
"It's critical to be able to give our municipalities time to figure out what their next steps are and to make sure our community doesn't go with a gap in coverage," said Monica Taylor, Chair of Delaware County Council.
Six patients are still being treated at the Crozer-Chester Medical Center as of Thursday night, according to PASNAP, the union that represents nurses, pharmacists and paramedics.
The patients are considered difficult discharges, and the staff is still working to find alternative locations where those patients can continue treatment, according to union officials.
For now, websites for Crozer Health and the Delaware County Health Department have resources for patient care.
Friday morning, there'll be a training to show healthcare professionals how to help former patients find new care.
It'll be at the Keystone First Wellness and Opportunity Center on West 9th Street from 9:30 a.m. to 11 a.m.
A Crozer job and fair is currently planned for May 13 at Subaru Park soccer stadium.
