GALESBURG, Ill. – Peoria-based OSF HealthCare says, in a sense, they had a fear the closure of a competing hospital in one of their areas might happen.
OSF says Saint Mary Medical Center in Galesburg has been preparing for the past two years for that city to become a one-hospital town, which is now technically the case since Cottage Hospital closed at least temporarily over the weekend due in part to alleged Medicare violations.
Two years, by the way, is about the length of time a Michigan-based man has owned Cottage.
“We are getting inquiries from a lot of former Cottage patients, asking ‘How do I transfer my care? How do I transfer my records?’” said Lisa DeKezel, president of OSF Saint Mary in Galesburg, and OSF Holy Family Medical Center in Monmouth.
“Please know that we are here to serve you. We will soon be posting information that will provide a direct line for you to reach out for assistance with those concerns and needs, as well as information on our website and Facebook pages.”
DeKezel says both hospitals have seen an “influx” of patients, both because of COVID-19, and because of the Cottage closure.
Meanwhile, Cottage Hospital’s clinics are still operating, but have filed for bankruptcy.
