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ECU Health closing several clinics serving rural ENC amid sharp financial losses in 2022

PRE News & Ideas | By Annette Weston-Riggs
Published January 26, 2023 at 9:02 AM EST
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(File photo: ECU College of Nursing)

ECU Health is closing five rural health clinics in eastern North Carolina after the hospital system lost $46 million last fiscal year.

Most of the losses were attributed to a disproportionate number of uninsured or underinsured patients and the higher cost of traveling nurses amid the healthcare worker shortage

Officials say the women’s clinic in Williamston, a family medicine clinic in Jacksonville, an immediate care clinic in Wilson, a family medicine clinic in Aurora, and a family medicine clinic in Snow Hill will close amid cost-saving measures.

In addition, the ECU Health North Hospital in Roanoke Rapids will discontinue inpatient behavioral health services on February 25. The licensed beds will move to the new behavioral health hospital being built in Greenville.

The majority of the jobs at the five clinics will move to other ECU Health locations but officials say 22 people will lose their jobs.

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Annette Weston-Riggs
Annette is originally a Midwest gal, born and raised in Michigan, but with career stops in many surrounding states, the Pacific Northwest, and various parts of the southeast. An award-winning journalist and mother of four, Annette moved to eastern North Carolina in 2019 to be closer to family – in particular, her two young grandchildren. It’s possible that a -27 day with a -68 windchill in Minnesota may have also played a role in that decision. In her spare time, Annette does a lot of kiddo cuddling, reading, and producing the coolest Halloween costumes anyone has ever seen. She has also worked as a diversity and inclusion facilitator serving school districts and large corporations. It’s the people that make this beautiful area special, and she wants to share those stories that touch the hearts of others. If you have a story idea to share, please reach out by email to westona@cravencc.edu.
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