UMass Memorial Medical Center Lays Off 40; More Cuts Ahead

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By Emily Micucci

Approximately 40 employees of UMass Memorial Medical Center (UMMMC) have been laid off, and more job cuts are coming, according to Rob Brogna, a spokesman for the hospital.

The layoffs come following an announcement earlier this fall that UMass Memorial Health Care, the medical center’s parent, expects to post an operating loss of approximately $57 million, and that the hospital system would lay off employees and reduce services to close the budget gap.

“On October 29, UMass Memorial Medical Center announced that it was developing a plan to remedy the current financial situation. UMass Memorial Health Care is facing an operating loss of approximately $57 million and much of that loss is taking place at the medical center and our Worcester-based operations,” Brogna said in a statement.

“UMass Memorial Medical Center is making tough decisions about programs and services we offer, which will have an impact on the size of our workforce,” Brogna went on. “This work will continue over the coming months. We are committed to finding ways to reduce costs while preserving as many jobs as possible.”

The laid-off employees were “non-medical” staff employed by various administrative departments, according to Brogna.

Brogna declined to provide a timeline for future layoffs, and did not disclose whether they would take place before the end of the year.

While the UMass system is facing an operating loss, it’s expecting an overall surplus of about $75 million for fiscal 2013, which ended Sept. 30. That’s due to investment income and the sale of its home health and hospice and laboratory businesses, according to UMass, factors the system is not counting on in fiscal 2014.