PeaceHealth Medical Center at RiverBend will permanently close its pediatric cardiology clinic as of July 21, as well as two other clinics in Oregon. Hospital administration gave the medical staff a 90-day notice to transition the care of hundreds of young patients, KLCC reports.
Pediatric cardiologist Misty Carlson and a partner treat about 200 children and teens with heart conditions at the clinic each month. Heart conditions in pediatrics vary: congenital heart defects, abnormal heart rhythms, problems following heart surgery.
When clinic staff got word that the practice would shut down, Carlson said they started scrambling to help parents find alternative care for their young patients.
PeaceHealth is also shutting down its sleep clinic in Springfield, and the optometry clinic and optical shop in Eugene. Both will permanently close the same day as the pediatric cardiology clinic.
The PeaceHealth Oregon network has eliminated 69 positions as a result of the closures. Read more.
