Hope.
It’s what the Ellwood City Community and Officials had in 2017 when a deal was inked with Americore Health, a company that touted itself as a new healthcare company focused on saving and revitalizing rural communities through the acquisition and management of rural hospitals across the United States.
Americore hasn’t been a savior for the hospital in Ellwood City, and hope is running out. Following the acquisition by Americore Health and its leader Grant White, there has been nothing but turmoil, halts in service, lawsuits, payroll issues, a nearly $300,000 unpaid electric bill owed to the borough of Ellwood City and ultimately a shutdown of all inpatient services by the state. The most terrible misfortune, however was personal—the furlough of 92 employees. And most recently, according to Ellwood City Mayor Anthony Court, Ellwood City Medical Center CEO Beverly Annarumo submitted her resignation on Monday.
Former Borough Manager Dom Viccari spoke out at Monday night’s Borough Council meeting, all but begging council to move on behalf of the community to save the hospital. The word hope resonated from the podium numerous times. He said that no stone should be left unturned and that he wants the community and the city officials to fight for the hospital’s future. His main focus was the employees that have been serving the community for years and some for decades.
“Grant White has prostituted the Ellwood City Hospital,” he said. “Let’s stand up for the employees.”
Mayor Court echoed Viccari’s sentiments. Court was added to a hospital advisory board after the sale of the hospital in 2017. He said since then, there have only been two meetings with Americore CEO Grant White. And now, according to Court, White has been completely unreachable—not returning phone calls or text messages.
Court said White hasn’t made good on any of the promises he made.
“Mr. White was granted this hospital,” Court said. “It was wrong and now we are suffering for it.”
Court said the sale was a bad decision because White’s track record “wasn’t sparkling.”
“He never should have been granted the hospital in the first place,” Court said.
Court said he plans to do as much as he possibly can to fight for the hospital’s future.
“He has hurt our community,” Court said. “He has hurt our hospital employees.”
However, the council and local officials have little to no control over Americore Health and Grant White.
“This is a private entity,” said Council President Judith Dici. “We can’t make Grant White do anything, we can only hope that he will do something.”
Dici, like Court, was added to a hospital advisory board after the sale.
“We were tasked to perform a job that we can’t do,” she said, referring to the lack of meetings and discussion because of Grant White’s failure to attend meetings or return requests for communication.
White seemingly leaves every hospital he touches in ruins. Ellwood City being just one of a few hospitals across the states of Pennsylvania, Virginia, and Kentucky that he set out to “save” with his business model.
Steeped in scandal, the most recent news report has White allegedly involved in business interactions with Former Vice President Joe Biden’s brother. Numerous news outlets reported that White is allegedly ingrained in a lawsuit that involves James Biden.
A Community Rising Up
It is hard to deny the devastation felt by the 90-plus employees who were furloughed and sent a letter that said they would be notified when their paycheck was ready for pickup and when they are called back to work they would be considered “new hires” losing their seniority and benefits—a letter signed by White himself.
But Grant White can’t destroy the sense of community that is Ellwood City.
Various businesses have stepped up to help the furloughed employees including Alborn Tire Sales who posted on their Facebook page asking those in need to reach out for help. McDonald’s has also reached out to employees to offer instant interviews and immediate hiring for the displaced workers and their family members at 2 p.m. on Wednesday.
On Tuesday, Johnny’s Pizza stepped in, offering a 20% pre-tax discount to terminated, laid-off, or current hospital workers by showing their hospital ID at time of checkout.
In a statement, Johnny’s Pizza added, “as a member of the Ellwood City Area community for over 69 years, we are heartbroken for those affected by the recent events at the Ellwood City Medical Center. Although saddened, we are deeply resolved to assist and serve.”
“Johnny’s is more than a restaurant. It is a family inside a larger family which is the Ellwood City Area community and that is what families do-they help one another. Know you all are in our prayers and on our hearts during this Christmas season and beyond. God bless,” the statement concluded.
State Representative Aaron Bernstine is hosting a job fair at the borough building on December 13th at 2 p.m. for current and former Ellwood City Medical Center employees.
Bernstine’s wife Ilia took to Facebook yesterday to begin a drive for families impacted by the furloughs. She posted a video and a message: “I’m Ilia Bernstine, Aaron’s wife. I’m asking for your help this holiday season for the employees of Ellwood City Medical Center. Lots of you have asked Aaron how you can help. If you’re able to contribute financially, we have opened a GoFundMe account, linked below. We are also planning to do a toy drive for the children of all of the employees who are struggling through reduced paychecks and those who have been laid off. I will be providing more information on how you can contribute to the toy drive this coming weekend. Please help me find all of the employees of Ellwood City Medical Center! I have provided my email address below. Share this video to help us find those that we’d like to help support this month. Thank you and God Bless”
She asked that employees in need contact her via email: ilia.bernstine@aaronforstaterep.com
She added a link to the GoFundMe account: Click here.
Ilia said she will release more details about the toy drive next week this weekend.
VIDEO FROM KDKA NEWS:
What happened to the money that was received for the sale of the hospital? Who has It? Can that money be used to repurchase the hospital? The former Board of the Ellwood Hospital and former CEO should be held responsible for the sale of the hospital to this conman.
I am a retired RN who started my career at Ellwood City Hospital. I am just sick about what has happened to this medical facility. I hope that someone can revive the ECH.