Dr. Nash Gabrail is part of a group of physicians interested in buying Affinity Medical Center.

MASSILLON  An oncologist at Affinity Medical Center said Monday he's part of a group of physicians looking into purchasing the hospital.

Dr. Nash Gabrail said a platoon of at least seven doctors is interested in putting funds together to make a run at the facility. The number of physicians could grow to 80 or 90, he said.

"We might also recruit area business (leaders) as potential investors," Gabrail said Monday night following a City Council work session.

Any potential purchase deal is dependent on Quorum agreeing to sell the hospital to the physicians' group, and its ability to raise necessary funds. Gabrail declined to suggest what a fair price might be to buy Affinity.

Quorum Health — the parent company of Affinity hospital — announced on Friday plans to cease services Feb. 4 because of declining revenues, increased operational costs and a competitive market.

Gabrail was one of more than two-dozen Affinity employees — doctors, nurses and medical technicians — who attended council's meeting. Of the total, about 10 workers spoke to city officials about their shock, disgust and disappointment of the hospital's planned closure.

"They really put us on the clock and left us without a lot of options," said Brett Ulrich, a registered nurse at Affinity.

Other hospital workers cited alleged billing and coding errors made over the years, which could have resulted in financial losses at the hospital. One worker said she recently reported a coding mistake totaling about $479,000.

Overall, discussion on Affinity went on for about an hour during the council meeting.

Reach Steven at 330-775-1134 or at steven.grazier@indeonline.com.
On Twitter: @sgrazierINDE