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Wednesday, April 11, 2012
It's a place Sharon McQueen has invested more than 20 years serving as a registered nurse. It took less than 24 hours for her to get the news she won't be coming back next week. "We were just shocked. It's hard to know that after Friday we don't know where we stand." McWueen and 88 other employees within the obstetrics and oncology department at Cooper Green Mercy hospital were told they're being placed on administrative leave until further notice. That means no work and no pay. The news comes after Jefferson County commissioners told hospital administrators to live within their budget. To save $6-million, a decision was made to cut the obstetrics and oncology departments. A move that leaves McQueen in limbo. "We're still in shock so when the shock wears off I have to make decisions." These days, health insurance has turned from a necessity to a luxury. One Rudy Turnquest doesn't have. He sprained his ankle and came to Cooper Green Mercy. "I heard go to Cooper Green so I went here but if this wasn't here I don't know where I would have gone. Ii would have stayed home and take the rest really because I don't have money to spend." As a former patient without health insurance, Cheryl Freeman is afraid of what the future holds. "I guess I'm going to get sick and die you know because if I get sick then I can't come to the hospital." Losing two major departments as well as employees is no doubt a hit to the core of the hospital. But Marc Sussman with Cooper Green Mercy says this isn't the end. "We're hoping that as time goes on that the community will see how important Cooper Green is. I can't say that this will shut us down but it certainly doesn't help." As of 7am Saturday, the oncology and obstetric departments will be no more. Cancer patients will be referred to UAB. Labor and delivery patients will be referred to Princeton Baptist Medical Center. Sussman says there is no timeline as to when the administrative leave will be lifted for employees.
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Keywords: Cooper Green, employees, Birmingham, budget cuts,
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