Saint Alphonsus will be closing the STARS pediatric clinic therapy clinic and inpatient pediatric and general surgery services at the Regional Medical Center.

These programs are happening because they have not been financially viable, Saint Alphonsus said, and because there are alternative services available throughout the community. Over the past two years, these programs have struggled to cope with the COVID-19 pandemic.

Saint Alphonsus says that primary care services will not be impacted.

"Saint Alphonsus has served the community for over 127 years. Like other health care providers, we are currently experiencing unprecedented change and disruption which calls for difficult, but necessary actions so that Saint Alphonsus can continue to serve our communities for many years to come," the hospital system said.