Hundreds of employees at Children’s Hospital Los Angeles were informed that their positions have been eliminated, hospital officials announced Wednesday.
The move, according to a CHLA news release, comes during “growing financial challenges” that prompted the sweeping action.
An estimated 439 positions were impacted, nearly 6% of the hospital’s workforce, including those in management, support, administrative services and clinical care. More than 250 employee positions have been completely eliminated, while another 186 impacted by the workforce reduction will be offered options to transfer to adjusted roles as the restructuring unfolds.
“This was a very difficult decision, and it is a deeply painful moment for our entire team,” Chief Executive Officer Paul S. Viviano said. “CHLA remains focused on delivering world-class pediatric care, advancing innovative research, training the next generation of pediatric clinicians, and making a difference in the communities we serve. And it became increasingly clear that reductions to both team member and management roles were necessary to ensure CHLA can continue to survive in this uncertain climate to provide our young patients and their families with the quality care that they need and deserve.”
As part of the consolidation and reorganization, CHLA officials said roles that have been eliminated will officially end on Oct. 28, with employees continuing to receive pay and benefits in the meantime in addition to severance pay per hospital policy.
Officials also noted that the hospital has put a hiring freeze in place, cancelled open positions on teams adequately staff and launched initiatives to lower purchasing costs for hospital supplies.
“Children continue to need the specialized care that only Children’s Hospital Los Angeles can provide and our patients deserve the strongest hospital possible for decades to come,” Viviano added. “As we move forward, CHLA is committed to evolving quickly to ensure financial viability while staying true to our mission.”
The hospital is widely considered one of the top-ranked medical centers for children in California and on the west coast.
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