Although it is located in the middle of one of the Atlanta region’s fastest-growing areas, DeKalb Medical Center recently laid off 60 workers; eliminated 80 positions that were already vacant; and accepted the resignations of its chief executive officer, chief operating officer and chief financial officer.
DeKalb Medical has admitted its financial performance has not been satisfactory. DeKalb Medical board vice chair, and former DeKalb County District Attorney Bob Wilson is the new CEO.
Although DeKalb Medical has three hospitals in Decatur and Lithonia, it is considered more of a stand-alone operation than its neighbors – including Emory University Hospital, which is part of the Emory Healthcare system.
That is one challenge facing DeKalb Medical in an era of hospital system consolidations. But Andy Miller, CEO and editor of the online publication “Georgia Health News,” says DeKalb Medical is dealing with the same kind of funding squeeze that many rural hospitals are, because the state of Georgia has refused to expand its Medicaid rolls under the Affordable Care Act.
Miller talked about it with Denis O’Hayer on “Morning Edition.”
