STE. GENEVIEVE — Ste. Genevieve County Memorial Hospital CEO Steve Henson announced this morning that the hospital’s labor and delivery and home health departments will close and other staffing areas will be restructured.
The announcement came in an emailed letter:
Dear Staff / Community Residents / Stakeholders,
As a rural, county-owned hospital, our mission has always been to provide high-quality, accessible care to our community, while ensuring we remain a sustainable resource for generations to come. Like many rural healthcare facilities across the country, we have faced significant financial challenges in recent years. After extensive review and careful consideration, we are implementing a strategic restructuring plan to stabilize our financial position and better align with the evolving needs of our patients.
Effective September 9, 2025, we will begin the process of:
Closing our Labor and Delivery Department
Closing our Home Health Department
Restructuring some other staffing areas
These decisions were not made lightly. These changes are necessary to allow us to operate within a financially sustainable model.
The services being discontinued, while important, have seen declining demand and increasing operational costs, making them no longer viable for our hospital to support long-term.
What This Means Moving Forward
Our restructuring plan is designed to:
Return the organization to positive net revenues
Grow high-demand services, such as outpatient surgery, women’s wellness and other specialty care
Remain competitive in staff compensation, including wages and benefits, which are critical to retaining and attracting the talented professionals who serve our community.
We deeply value our employees and recognize the impact this will have on those affected. We are committed to supporting our staff through this transition with respect, transparency, and, where possible, assistance in exploring internal placement options or other resources.
Commitment to Our Community
While this marks the end of certain services, it also represents a new chapter of growth and resilience for our hospital. We are not stepping back from our mission – we are positioning ourselves to continue fulfilling it, in a way that is both financially and operationally sustainable.
We appreciate the continued trust and support of our staff, patients, and community during this time. Your understanding and collaboration are essential as we navigate these changes and build a stronger, more responsive healthcare facility for the future of Ste. Genevieve County.
Sincerely,
CEO/Steve Henson
Ste. Genevieve County Memorial Hospital