OAK PARK, Ill. — The West Suburban Medical Center in Oak Park officially ceased operations on Friday, marking the end of an era for the community.
According to reports, many patients learned of the closure only a day prior, causing concern and confusion among those who rely on the facility for their healthcare needs.
Dr. Manoj Prasad, CEO of Resilience Health, revealed on Wednesday that both West Suburban and Weiss Hospital in Uptown would temporarily halt operations until issues with the billing system are resolved.
Established in 1914, the Oak Park hospital has long been recognized for its dedication to training healthcare professionals and providing quality care. However, the decision to close its doors came into effect on Friday.
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In recent days, the hospital premises have been bustling with activity as first responders and staff coordinated the transfer of patients to alternative medical facilities.
West Suburban hospital has been busy with people coming and going, including first responders to transporting patients to other hospitals.
“It used to be like a big home, a big community when you came here. Very loving,” physical therapist Marlene Wesol-Cid said.
Wesol-Cis has been a physical therapist there for nearly 30 years.
“We have a big dedicated staff people who have been here for years and years and try to do the best for our patients we can,” Wesol-Cid said.
“It’s just heartbreaking, just hoping the best for everyone moving forward,”physical therapist Abby Sullivan said. “There are no good words to put to everything that’s been going on.”
The sudden closure leaves nearby healthcare providers wondering how they will be impacted.
A spokesperson for RUSH Oak Park confirms staff there are preparing for more patients.
Dr. Paul Luning is the Chief Medical Officer at PCC Community Wellness Center, which has 15 healthcare centers in the area. Luning shared that he began his career as a resident at West Suburban.
“It’s painful, both emotionally and intellectually, because we know the hospital is not going to be able to serve patients we’ve been able to serve for 30 years,” Dr. Luning said.
Perhaps an example of the impact of West Suburan closing, ABC7 was told a patient came to PCC on Lake Street needing emergency care. Instead of the ambulance going to a hospital nearby, where ABC7 was told the emergency rooms were busy with extra West Suburban patients, the ambulance went to another hospital further away in the city.
“It’s tough when patients don’t have the options they deserve,” Dr. Luning said.
PCC will continue to operate its urgent care and appointments in the office building of West Suburban, but anyone who needs emergency care will need to go elsewhere.
The Illinois Health Facilities and Services Review Board reports the suspension in services requires the owner to file a report every 30 days, and if the suspension is not lifted after a year, the owner needs to file for an extension or discontinue operations permanently.
The furloughs at West Suburban come seven months after Weiss Memorial Hospital in Uptown, which is also owned by Resilience, was largely shuttered.
Weiss Hospital stopped in-patient and emergency care months ago when it was kicked off the Medicare program over conditions inside the hospital.
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