Claxton-Hepburn may have to cut still more jobs

OGDENSBURG — Claxton-Hepburn Medical Center has reduced its staff by 63 employees over the past year, but hospital officials say the governor's proposed new state cuts of $876,000 could mean even more reductions in the work force.

Last year, Claxton-Hepburn Chief Executive Officer Mark A. Webster announced 34 layoffs. Later in the year, the hospital announced a second round of layoffs of 14 employees, bringing the total to 48 workers laid off.

Mr. Webster said that for the past year, senior management also has been cutting vacant positions that have become empty to reduce costs, which accounts for the other 15 jobs eliminated.

"We've been trying to do more with less," Mr. Webster said. "Every department has taken cuts."

Mr. Webster said the state Legislature may modify some of the cuts being proposed by the governor, but hospital officials will have to keep cutting costs and positions to prepare for possible reductions.

But with Gov. David A. Paterson proposing new cuts in Medicaid to hospitals for both inpatient and outpatient services, Mr. Webster said, he and top hospital staff are looking for new ways to expand services to keep the hospital profitable.

"You can't just cut your way to profitability," Mr. Webster said.

One way to cope with the reductions in state assistance is to expand services to bring in new revenues to offset the cuts. That effort has included a campaign to recruit new doctors who can offer new services in Ogdensburg.

Two new orthopedic surgeons are expected to begin serving the Ogdensburg area later this year. A cardiologist also is expected to join the staff at CHMC. A radiation oncologist is also slated to join the staff of Richard E. Winter Cancer Center.

Mr. Webster said the medical center's newly opened wound center on Ford Street Extension has been both a clinical and a financial success. The wound care center has attracted patients from Jefferson and Franklin counties as well as St. Lawrence County. It has been successful at healing internal wounds caused by radiation treatment, helping to draw patients to the center, Mr. Webster said.

The Healthcare Association of New York State has estimated Gov. Paterson's proposals would cut the following dollar amounts from north country hospitals:

■ $876,000, Claxton-Hepburn Medical Center.

■ $516,000, Massena Memorial Hospital.

■ $660,000, Canton-Potsdam Hospital, Potsdam.

■ $36,000, Clifton-Fine Hospital, Star Lake.

■ $174,000, E.J. Noble Hospital, Gouverneur.

■ $64,000, River Hospital, Alexandria Bay.

■ $1,174,000, Samaritan Medical Center, Watertown.

■ $270,000, Carthage Area Hospital.