St. Catherine Regional Hospital in Charlestown closes its doors
CHARLESTOWN, IN (WAVE) - Clark County covers 375 square miles and is one of the largest in our viewing area, but the northern part of that area is now left without serious medical care options after a hospital in Charlestown shut its doors.
The snow and the wind were about the only things moving outside St. Catherine Regional Hospital in Charlestown Wednesday.
The sign on the emergency room door spelled it out: The emergency department -- and rest of the hospital -- is closed.
"Where are the people in Charlestown, Otisco, New Washington, what are we going to use for emergency services now?" Charlestown Council President Ruth Ann Rawlings asked.
Rawlings was out of town when she heard the news of the closing of the place that's played such a role in her life.
"I worked there from '79-82 or '83 and '92-2000," she said.
It also saved the life of one of those she loves most.
"That hospital saved my father's life when he had a heart attack," Rawlings said.
Like so many, Rawlings is at a loss as to what happened.
Charlestown Mayor Bob Hall's office released a statement Wednesday saying it was not possible for the Bankruptcy Court and a proposed buyer to come to terms on the sale of the financially troubled hospital.
Privately, off camera, a couple of hospital employees said they were hoping an offer from another buyer, People's Choice Hospital, would be accepted and save the hospital.
The CEO of PCH said over the phone that his company specializes in turning around distressed hospitals using technology and video medicine.
Dr. Seth Guterman said his company has offered $1.9 million to buy St. Catherine's but the bankruptcy trustee felt he could get more money by closing and liquidating.
Now the community and the hospital's 100 employees are left wondering what's next.
"Some of the people that I worked with back in '79 when I worked there are still employed for the hospital," Rawlings said. "Those people are bound to be devastated."
Employees of a local doctor's office didn't want to go on camera but said they were concerned for their patients, especially the ones who have a hard time traveling, now that the town has no hospital nearby.
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