Department of Health Hires Temporary Manager at Hahnemann University Hospital, St. Christopher’s Hospital for Children
Secretary of Health Dr. Rachel Levine announced the agreement late last week. The temporary manager, Pinnacle Healthcare Consulting, will remain in place until the department determines it is no longer necessary.
PHILADELPHIA—The state Department of Health and the Pennsylvania Academic Health System have agreed to the placement of a temporary manager at PAHS’s Hahnemann University Hospital and St. Christopher’s Hospital for Children.
Secretary of Health Dr. Rachel Levine announced the agreement late last week. The temporary manager, Pinnacle Healthcare Consulting, will remain in place until the department determines it is no longer necessary.
The cease and desist order issued by the state ordering the hospital and its emergency room to remain open remains in place. The American Academic Health System of El Segundo, CA told its employees on Wednesday on June 26 its intent to close the hospital, which first opened in 1848, this September. The hospital employs more than 2,000 workers.
Parent company Philadelphia Academic Health System, LLC and a number of its affiliates filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection on June 30.
“Placing a temporary manager allows the department to immediately access information regarding the needs of patients and staff at both locations,” Dr. Levine said. “In working with PAHS officials to agree to a temporary manager, it allows us to ensure this process continues smoothly. Public health and safety is and always will be the department’s number one priority as we work to ensure the needs of southeastern Pennsylvanians are met.”
Pennsylvania Gov. Tom Wolf praised the appointment of a temporary manager by the Pennsylvania Department of Health to provide oversight at Hahnemann University Hospital.
“First and foremost, I want to extend my gratitude to all the Hahnemann employees dedicated to helping their neighbors. These doctors, nurses and staff have worked diligently despite these unfortunate circumstances, Gov. Wolf said. “I also want to thank Dr. Rachel Levine and her team at the Pennsylvania Department of Health, along with their many allies and partners, for fighting to bring order to this process. A hospital’s mission should be putting public health first and we will hold them accountable to that.”
He added, “A temporary manager will be able to ensure that patient care needs will continue to be met. I appreciate the medical community and advocates in Greater Philadelphia working with us to ensure patients and those who serve them are prioritized as other proceedings evolve.”