St. Barnabas Hospital is in merger talks with Westchester Square Medical Center.
According to a WSMC spokeswoman, the medical center is still looking for a new partner after Columbia Presbyterian backed out of an affiliation with the hospital in December, citing economic reasons related to the downturn in the economy.
The president and CEO of St. Barnabas Hospital, located at 4422 Third Avenue, confirmed that they are indeed in merger talks with WSMC.
“St. Barnabas Hospital is in discussions with Westchester Square Medical Center,” said Scott Cooper, M.D., president and CEO of St. Barnabas Hospital. “We believe that a merger of our two hospitals might be mutually beneficial and would enhance health care to the Bronx community.”
Any merger between two hospitals has to be approved by the state Department of Health.
“We are still looking for partners to merge with,” said Lisa Nenner, vice-president of administration for WSMC.
Senator Jeff Klein, who is involved the ongoing merger process negotiations between both hospitals, was cautiously optimistic.
“Unfortunately, due to its own financial troubles Columbia Presbyterian was not able to take over Westchester Square Medical Center as planned, but I am fighting tooth and nail to keep our community hospital open,” Klein said. “Since the new year, I have been in talks with the state Department of Health and St. Barnabas to put in place a process for a possible resolution. There is a lot of work to be done, but I am hopeful.”
The community feels very passionate about keeping the hospital open.
“I am partial to Westchester Square Medical Center because I was born there, and my mother was the delivery room nurse for 25 years,” said John Bonizio, of the Association of Merchants & Business Professionals of Westchester Square. “There is a big need for emergency-room services in the community.”
Bonizio also said he felt having the hospital just blocks away from Westchester Square’s business district spurs local economic activity.
“There are a lot of people walking around the square with scrubs at lunch-time that are obviously from the hospital,” Bonizio said. “No one wants to see it closed; everyone is united in this.”
Sandi Lusk, of the Westchester Square Zerega Improvement Organization said that the hospital was a lifesaver for her and her family – in one case literally.
“They saved my life when I had my first asthma attack,” Lusk said. “If they hadn’t been there, I wouldn’t have been able to walk from my house, when I lived two blocks away, to the emergency room. I might not be here today.”
