The Enid News and Eagle, Enid, OK

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November 20, 2009

Some local jobs may be lost

By Bridget Nash Staff Writer

Local jobs soon will be lost, and the possibility of health care reform may be to blame, according to officials.

Integris Bass Baptist Health Center in Enid will be undergoing a “restructuring” effort beginning Jan. 1 that will result in positions being eliminated.

“Given the reality that resources will likely become more scarce under any health care reform scenario, we are taking some proactive steps as a system to improve our efficiency and eliminate duplication,” said Jeff Tarrant, president of Integris Bass Baptist Health Center.

The measures taken ultimately will eliminate some positions in Enid and expand the regional duties of Integris Health, Oklahoma’s largest health care system.

“Some of these steps are leading to centralization or regionalization of certain non-clinical hospital functions,” Tarrant said. “Unfortunately, this will lead to the loss of some jobs in Enid.”

While he didn’t offer a number of potential jobs to be lost, Tarrant said the effect in Enid will not be large.

“While the total number impacted will be relatively small, it is very difficult to consider that some employees will be losing their jobs,” Tarrant said. “We are working with all those affected to help them explore other potential opportunities with Integris Bass or elsewhere within the Integris system.”

Tarrant said the most immediate changes will be in the local business office, but other non-clinical de-partments also may be af-fected.

Integris Health operates hospitals in Blackwell, Enid, Grove, Miami, Pryor, Clinton, Yukon, Oklahoma City, Seminole and Madill and employs approximately 9,000 Oklahomans.

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