The hospital in the small town of Sayre closed its doors in February after municipal trust authority members weren't able to renegotiate bond payments.
People’s Choice Hospital, which is based in Illinois, had hoped to reopen the facility by July 1, according to Sayre Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Belinda Graham. But the hospital chain’s president Dr. Seth Guterman says he is still waiting for approval from the bondholders, The Journal Record’s Sarah Terry-Cobo reports:
Graham said Guterman’s staff told her and others in Sayre about a month ago that People’s Choice Hospital wanted to reopen the hospital within 30 days. The company has successfully managed other rural hospitals in similar situations, so she said she was hopeful the company could help. Guterman said the bondholders decided the matter was urgent. He said he has not received a letter of intent from them. “We’re trying to navigate that,” Guterman said. “It is held up at the bondholder level.”
Graham says the hospital closing, and the shuttering of a prison last November, has devastated the local economy. She said she plans to hold a job fair to help staff the hospital, but that right now she is praying the deal doesn’t fall through.
From Terry-Cobo:
The downturn in the oil industry also hurt many local, small oil and gas service providers. Graham said she’s promoting a monthly drag racing event and an annual car and motorcycle festival to encourage more people to visit the city.
KGOU is a community-supported news organization and relies on contributions from readers and listeners to fulfill its mission of public service to Oklahoma and beyond. Donate online, or by contacting our Membership department.
