June 21, 2024 3:30 a.m. 

Restructuring is leading to the elimination of 18 positions at CHI Mercy Medical Center and Centennial Medical Group, according to Mercy Health CEO and President Russell Woolley.

In an email, Wooley said, “Like health systems across the country, we continue to face financial pressures and workforce challenges. Our top priority is making sure we are strongly positioned to continue providing safe, high-quality care to our patients and communities long into the future”.

Wooley said Mercy regularly assesses operational performance and makes adjustments to ensure the long-term sustainability of the organization. Wooley said, “As such, we have made the difficult but necessary decision to implement workforce reductions, in addition to other restructuring and cost saving measures”. Wooley said the reductions are a combination of improved scheduling efficiencies, attrition, agency elimination and staff reductions”.

Wooley said there are approximately 1,300 team members between CHI Mercy Health and Centennial Medical Group. He said the impacted positions are primarily in leadership support areas. All transitions will take place over the next 6 weeks.

Wooley’s email said, “While necessary for the continued stability and future growth, these changes are difficult, and we understand the significant impact on our team members and their families. Impacted team members are encouraged to apply for other available jobs within Mercy and will also have the opportunity to participate in outplacement services to help them identify opportunities outside the organization. We are committed to doing everything we can to connect these team members to internal transfer opportunities”.

Wooley concluded by saying, “Our central purpose is to serve our patients and meet the needs of our communities – this must remain at the heart of everything we do”.

Mercy has been operating as a hospital in Roseburg for 115 years.