Supporters of Affinity Medical Center gathered Tuesday morning to discuss the impact of the hospital's closure through testimonies from nurses and patients.
MASSILLON "Patients over profits."
Over and over they chanted the phrase.
Nurses at Affinity Medical Center, patients and supporters rallied outside the hospital's main entrance Tuesday morning to discuss the devastating effects the hospital's closure would have on the community and those who need medical care. Families and nurses shared testimonies of times when Affinity staff cared for them or loved ones.
National Nurses United (NNU) and their affiliate National Nurses Organizing Committee-Ohio represent more than 250 nurses at Affinity. NNU has pledged to work with the Affinity nurses to oppose the closure.
Quorum Health Corporation, Affinity's parent company, announced last week it will be closing Feb. 4 with less than a month's notice.
"We are sending a clear message out here to Quorum Health Corporation," said Michelle Mahon, a union representative for National Nurses United. "This hospital can succeed, and we know it."
A community need
Nurse Rose Anne Wilson, who works in Affinity’s Orthopedic Department, questioned Quorum Health's decision to close the hospital in the midst of an opioid crisis and bad flu season.
Wilson said Affinity treats nearly one-fifth of the emergency cases in Stark County.
"Affinity is the closest and the best option for thousands of patients," Wilson said. "Depriving them of our presence isn't just inconvenient - and it is - it's deadly."
If Affinity closes its doors, Mahon said, Stark County would lose a "state of the art, $3 million emergency room." Affinity has seen emergency visits steadily rise in the past five years, reaching 43,000 emergency visits in 2016.
Local leaders show support
They were joined by expected gubernatorial candidate Dennis Kucinich, candidate for Ohio's 7th Congressional District Ken Harbaugh, a representative for U.S. Sen. Sherrod Brown and others.
Kucinich said he has been down this road before with other cities. He talked about getting a restraining order through the courts to block the closing and potentially using eminent domain to take control of the property.
"Today in Massillon marks an opportunity for the people to regain their power over health care," the former Cleveland mayor said. "Today marks an opportunity to fight back against the corporatization of health care."
Quorum ultimately said Affinity holds no value when they announced the hospital would be closing, Kucinich said. He believes Mayor Kathy Catazaro-Perry and City Council should declare eminent domain and go to court to build the value of the hospital up with the help of the doctors who are devising a plan to buy the hospital.
"These are a tough breed of people here," Kucinich said. "They're not going to be pushed around by some New York stock exchange company that doesn't give a damn about the public interest here."
Harbaugh, a Democrat who is running to unseat U.S. Rep. Bob Gibbs, R-Lakeville, also spoke. Massillon has had a community hospital since 1910, he said. The closure of Affinity would mark the first time in over a century Massillon would be without a hospital.
"We are turning back the clock if we allow this to happen," Harbaugh said. "We are taking a giant leap backwards. A hospital is the beating heart of a town like this. We cannot let them rip it out."
Patient stories
Patients and family members of patients who have been impacted by Affinity stepped to the microphone to share their perspectives.
Kreg and Tracy Lee credit Affinity Medical Center for saving the life of their 8-year-old.
The parents did not know their son was allergic to bees and didn't think much of it when he was stung while out on a camping trip. When welts formed on his body and his feet began to swell, they rushed him to Affinity. Kreg Lee said a nurse working in the emergency room dropped what she was doing to rush his son in to get help.
Lee referred to the nurse as his “guardian angel” and couldn’t bear to think of what could have happened had there not been a nearby hospital.
Catazaro-Perry said she has experienced the care and compassion of these nurses first hand, adding that is something the community cannot lose. She has heard concerns from patients of Affinity and the elderly.
"If this facility closes, we will lose Massillon residents," she said. "People will die. This is a devastation to this community, and we're not going to take it."
Catazaro-Perry said the hospital's timeline was ridiculous and criticized Quorum for emphasizing profit over community need.
"They have thrown our city into chaos and panic," she said.
She said she asked Quorum to extended the closing deadline but the request was denied.
Catazaro-Perry urged supporters to call, write letters or text to show their support to keep Affinity open.
"I will not leave one stone unturned to save our hospital," she said.
Reach Samantha at 330-775-1133 or samantha.ickes@indeonline.com
On Twitter: @sickesIDNE